From tablets and laptops to TVs and smartphones, screens have become a ubiquitous part of everyday life. With kids spending up to 8 hours daily on their devices, it’s more important than ever to discuss the impact of screen time on a child’s emotional and cognitive development. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some established screen time fallacies and misconceptions and try to debunk them.
1. Screen time is always harmful
According to a 10-year National Institutes of Health MRI study, spending around 7 hours daily in front of the screen thins out children’s brains’ outer cortex layer. With kids aged 8–10 spending approximately 6 hours daily on their devices, and the trend only exacerbating with age, spending hours in front of the screen is catastrophic for a kid’s development.
Of course, it doesn’t mean you should prohibit your kids from using devices. What also matters is the quality of the screen time: instead of doom scrolling social media, children can use the Internet for mind-developing games and educational content. To better control your kid’s digital consumption, consider using web control tools that allow limited access to harmful content and promote digital literacy.
2. Communicating on social media makes kids happier
Social media platforms are notorious for their detrimental effect on children’s mental health. According to a study of American teens, spending over three hours daily on social media doubles the risks of negative outcomes that range from mild anxiety to full-blown depression and suicidal ideations.
If your child tends to spend hours on social media, consider limiting their daily use of devices. Instead, advise them to join dance clubs and sports sections, encourage seeing friends, or join interest clubs where they can find mates with similar hobbies. Face-to-face communication and exercise can do wonders to alleviate anxiety and prevent children from spending hours online.
3. Screen time is always addictive
Smartphones indeed tend to cause addiction; after all, there is a reason why some call them mini gambling devices. Still, completely prohibiting your child from using the Internet is not the best option, as you’re limiting their access to the world’s repository of knowledge. The key is to avoid mindless scrolling on social platforms and ensure your children use the internet for educational purposes or occasional entertainment, like cartoons or video games. Although striking a balance may be challenging, it’s feasible.
To wrap it up, the screen time debate is wrapped in numerous myths and misconceptions. As modern parents learn to navigate the digital landscape, it’s important to establish some ground rules, including limiting daily device use, encouraging digital literacy, and remaining informed about new studies in the field. The Internet is a source of innumerable books, articles, education platforms, and entertainment; by guiding and monitoring your children’s technology usage, you’ll be able to make the most of its benefits.