Although we know that technology can be a great tool for much of our lives, as well as to motivate children (and adults) to continue learning and studying, the truth is that it must have its limits and we should not abuse screen time, it could affect the intelligence of children.
If that is one of your concerns and you want your children to reduce the amount of time they spend in front of a screen, give the example: a study confirmed the relationship that exists between the use of parents' screens, with the time of screens that their children have.
In recent years, due to the increase in the use of technology by children, some concerns have arisen that have led to the realization of various studies that seek to analyze the impact of the use of screens in their development.
In Babies and more A preliminary study suggests that more than two hours in front of the screen a day would affect children's brainsIn most of them, the results are not positive, and indicate that it could affect them negatively when televisions, tablets and mobiles are used in excess. Recall that the American Academy of Pediatrics has long shared its recommendations for the use of tablets, mobile phones and TV by children and that we review here again:
- Before 18 months no screens.
- Between 18 and 24 months only high quality content, both content and games.
- Between two and five years, we continue with high quality content and maximum one hour a day.
- From the age of six, balance screen time with free spaces of media content, such as free play and physical activity.
That children do not use a tablet or watch television is now almost an impossible mission in most families, so as parents, it is up to us to take care that our children use them as soon as possible, and that we also monitor that the contents they see in them are appropriate for their age.
What measures can we take so that they do not abuse or spend too much time in front of a screen? There are several options: from establishing hours of use, to encouraging the practice of outdoor activities and free play. But without any doubt, one of the most effective, will be to set the example.
The study
Published in the BMC Obesity magazine, the study analyzed the relationship between the use that parents and children give to screens, as well as the effect on children of some parenting rules or practices related to them, such as the use of screens as a reward for good behavior.
For the study, 40 families participated, with children between 18 months and five years of age, who answered questionnaires in which they were asked to specify how much time both parents and children spent in front of a screen, if the parents used any screen in front of their children and what measures they used to control or limit the children's screen time.
For "screen time," the researchers they included television, computer, video games, tablets and smartphones. In the case of children, on average they spent an hour and a half in front of a screen during the week and a little more than two hours on weekends. On the other hand, parents spent two hours a day during the week and about two and a half hours on weekends.
In Babies and more, drop the smartphone: it makes you more distracted and prevents you from creating a close connection with your childrenAnalyzing the results carefully, it was found that there was indeed a relationship between the two, and that the more time they spend in front of a screen parents use, the more time their children also spend.
In addition, the study found that when children are allowed to use a screen during mealtime or as a reward after having good behavior, it was children are more likely to use them at other times of the day and more frequently.
The results of this study are not totally surprising, but they remind us of a fact about having children: they observe us and follow our example. So In addition to taking care of the amount of time children watch a screen, let's also do it with ourselves, let go of the smartphone and seek to focus on more games and traditional activities and family, free of screens.
Photos | iStock
Via | Big think
