The pandemic has stirred up lives around the world upending our children’s schedules and our
work-life, making 2020 an interesting year on many grounds. However, as technology has now
become an inseparable part of our lives it also made 2020 bearable. If not anything, technology
has integrated itself into our children’s world making it an inescapable addiction for them.
Unless you live in a log shack, completely off the grid in the wood there is a zero probability of
protecting and safeguarding your children from the screen that they will by default be
encountering anywhere and everywhere. The drawback of this generation is that they were born
amidst a technological revolution that is going to show no signs of slowing down, in fact, AI is
the future so it is inevitable that your kids will be drawn to the technological equipment no matter
how much you shield them from it.
A world where you’ll be driven around by self-driving cars, wearable tech, Bionic parts
Augmented reality and who knows what more but for now we need to address the concerns of
most parents which is Screen Time.
We spend our days in school reading, writing and learning how to operate the computer and
that was considered as an integral part of an educational syllabus called ‘computer lab’ back in
the day, but nowadays screen time makes a fitting comparison to junk food. We know how bad
it is for our health, but we still guiltily indulge in it.
With our children I believe it all started with a little ambivalence towards the screen that soon
ignited a sense of curiosity that made its way into becoming a full-fledged routine too late back
down from while we knew the potential it had to captivate the inquisitive young minds of our
child along with its infamous nature of making it an addiction. However, we still let them
continuously use it because let’s be candid, it can be lifesaver especially when you are juggling
between work from home managing 2 kids along with household chores.
It goes without a doubt that screen time is valuable for our children, allowing them to learn at
their fingertips with access the vast world of knowledge and insights with high-quality learning
programs like Sesame Street shown to enhance and improve cognitive development and
literacy skills along with the endless amounts of apps built to engage and interact through
creative puzzles and games.
If we look at it positively, our children have become a testament to the enormous amounts of
educational possibilities of technology. Giving them a well-rounded learning opportunity with
shapes and colors in the form of cartoons important knowledge imparting knowledge in its
unique way.
It has its downsides as well, studies show that when screen time is overused it can replace
important development opportunities like physical activity, outdoor time, and imaginative play
which results in stunted interpersonal interactions, sleep problems, obesity, and lagging motor
skills.
Kids nowadays have forgotten to cherish the summers, running, playing, climbing trees, building
sandcastles, and running around playing hide and seek. Those were the summer we as parents
enjoyed taught us more than the iPad and we all turned out pretty okay.
As crucial as screen time is, just like every complicated bag in life, screen time is good in
moderation with the right balance.
Ways in which you could reduce your child’s screen time;
A daily routine;
There is no need to impose a strict regime or give them ample screen time. The trick here is to
make them feel like screen time is more like a privilege than a right.
Educational;
There plenty of apps and videos on YouTube, but not all of them are educational. Instead of
letting them have the freedom to watch whatever they want, make a playlist for them.
No screen zone;
Make sure that your child is spending some quality time interacting while at the dinner table
instead of being glued to the television, set aside a few hours where they read, write and play to
unplug.
Putting down a device can be a struggle but for a better and healthier life for your child, it is
crucial to take the necessary step starting today and cut back on some screen time.
