How much screen time is too much? As students are
increasingly obsessed with screen time, parents need to set limits on how much TV
and online time their students are allocated. Allowing unfettered access to the
online world may cause students to live lives that are too sedentary and may
also affect their social development.
Why limit screen
time?
While allowing your students to spend as much time as they
like watching TV or online does keep them quiet and happy, it can also have
negative effects on their health and behavior. The sedentary lifestyle
encouraged by time online can lead to childhood obesity and an increased
incidence of diabetes.
Too much screen time can lead to irregular sleeping
patterns. This, in turn, can lead to attention deficits, poor academic
performance and weight gain.
According to the May Clinic: “Elementary students who spend
more than two hours a day watching TV or using a computer are more likely to have
emotional, social and attention problems. Exposure to video games is also
linked with an increased risk of attention problems in children. Watching
excessive amounts of TV at age 4 is linked with bullying at ages 6 through 11.”
Children under 3 should not be watching TV or playing with
phones or tablets. According to the BBC: “Dr Aric Sigman is warning that
screens "may produce" an increased level of dopamine in children's
brains. He suggests this could lead to a dependency on screen media when they
are older.”
In France, TV shows aimed at an audience younger than 3 are
banned to protect younger children from too much exposure.
According to a study by Public Health in England, children
who spend most of their time in front of a screen have a lower self-esteem and
are more prone to emotional problems.
How to limit screen
time
1. If you think your student is spending too much time online,
limit their access to the internet to just a couple of hours a day. It’s
important that you discuss with them why they should limit screen time and the
rules around accessing the internet and watching TV.
2. Don’t eat in front of the TV, but take meal times to connect
as a family. Be a good example by unplugging regularly yourself.
3. Be more active as a family. Plan activities that get your
family moving and out of the house.
4. Don’t leave the TV on in the background as this will prove
to be distracting. Move TVs and computers from bedrooms into common areas.
Not only is it important to limit screen time, it’s also
important to keep tabs on what your student is being exposed to online. You can
enforce screen time limitations by programming phones, computers and tablets to
switch off after the designated time allowances have been reached.
Need organizational skills or test taking skills help? Are
your math or language arts classes getting harder and harder? Are you starting a new language and need some
extra help? Call Tutor Doctor Longmontfor one to one learning in your home. We
serve the St Vrain Valley School n Longmont, Firestone, Erie, Frederick, Niwot, Dacono, Mead . A FREE consultation STARTS YOUR BEST YEAR
EVER!! We take the stress out of homework and tests : )
Find the Best In Home Tutoring in Longmont, Firestone, Erie,
Frederick Niwot, Dacono, and Mead. Our
Tutors focus on Tutoring Algebra, Math, English, Science, Chemistry, Biology,
SAT Prep, Test Prep, Homework Help and Foreign Languages
No comments:
Post a Comment