Why You Should Limit Your Child’s Screen Time

In today’s modern world it is very difficult for children to avoid technology. Although smart phones and computers can offer many benefits to your child’s education, too much screen time is becoming a growing concern for parents. 

This is because studies have shown that excessive screen time can negatively impact a child’s health and development. Therefore, it is important for parents to limit screen time and monitor the type of content that their children are consuming.

Understanding the dangers of too much screen time can help parents to establish a more sensible approach. To help you learn more, here is some useful information from an independent girls school in Surrey…

Why is too much screen time bad for kids?

Research suggests that excessive screen time can affect a child’s physical health and mental development. This is because it consumes time which could be spent socialising, learning and exercising. Other negative effects of too much screen time are:

Health  – When screen time increases, this usually means physical activity decreases. Lack of physical exercise can lead to weight gain and other health related problems.

Vision and posture – Looking at a screen for long periods of time can lead to eye strain and headaches. Children may also complain of neck and back pain, caused by poor posture habits when using their devices.

Behaviour  – Excessive screen time can also lead to emotional, social and attention problems. Furthermore, without the proper parental controls in place children can be exposed to inappropriate or violent content online.

Sleep  – Screen time before bed can lead to sleeping difficulties. This is due to the blue light that is emitted from digital devices. Studies have found that this type of light suppresses our melatonin production, which is a sleep-promoting hormone.

How can you reduce screen time?

It is important to set screen time limits at home and ensure that your child is also participating in physical activities, away from their devices. Here is where parents need to set a good example and limit their own screen time too!

It may be unrealistic and unnecessary to prevent your children from using their devices completely, but encouraging them to enjoy other activities is a good balance. Look into local classes or clubs for your child to join. A new hobby can help to focus your child’s attention on something other than their screens!

Setting screen time limits is also important for your child’s mental well-health. Ensure they have enough spare time for other enriching activities and experiences and try ‘unplugged’ family evening and weekends.