4 Screen Hazards Every Parent Needs To Know

As a parent, it is your duty to protect your kids from harm and one of the biggest dangers to kids these days is being overlooked – screens. Yes, screens.

From TV to mobile phones to tablets, screens have become part of our everyday lives even though they aren’t exactly healthy. 

These days, most kids stay glued to their screens all the time, which is bad for them.

Screens are a major source of solace and entertainment but it’s important to know that they can also be harmful. 

Some of the risks involved in exposing your children to excessive screen time include: 

Poor Social Skills

Uncontrolled exposure to screens can affect children’s social skills as they tend to develop a general disinterest in their immediate environment, which can result in behavioural issues such as aggression and low self-esteem. 

Children exposed to excessive amounts of technology and screen time can have difficulty learning and forming meaningful relationships.

They tend to be withdrawn and only focused on their phones and tablets. This can go on to affect them even till adulthood.

Reduced Attention Span

Spending too much time looking at screens has many damaging effects on the brain and reduces the attention span of a child as it generally impacts negatively on their ability to communicate properly. 

Excessive screen time also impinges on their cognitive and critical thinking skills as it gives no room for holistic sensory engagement.

Poor Posture and Physicality

The poor posture their little bodies assume when using most of these gadgets results in unnecessary stress and strain and this might affect their posture and stance.

Even when their gadgets are not in use, they become accustomed to the “slouch” and feel “tired” without doing much.

Children who spend time on their screens do not get to go outside and play with their peers, exert energy, and stay physically healthy.

This can affect their physicality and make them weak/prone to illnesses.

Poor Visual Health

Screens have a very strong effect on the eyes of both children and adults. They quickly cause a decline in visual ability and other eye problems.

This can lead to kids wearing medicated glasses and managing their eyesight at a young age. 

The dangers of allowing children unlimited access to screens far outweigh its benefits and as such parents should limit the exposure of their little ones to electronic devices largely made up of screens.

So how exactly do we limit screen exposure of kids already dependent on it? You can try these steps:

1. Set realistic goals –  gradually reduce screen time exposure instead of total withdrawal; this would help prevent unnecessary tantrums.

2. Engage your kids in physical activities – create various activities for your children which could involve learning a new language, learning to cook, or learning to play a musical instrument, etc.

This would help take their minds off their devices.

3. Set Boundaries – creating boundaries within the house would help the kids understand that there is time for everything e.g. No devices during meal time.

This could also engender a sense of priorities, things like ensuring that they finish their chores before screen time.

4. More outdoor activities – when was the last time you visited a park or took a jog or walked the dog with your kids? Kids love to play and to play outside.

Make time to do this and watch your kids abandon their devices for fun outside.

5. Lead by example – learn to put your device down and communicate with your kids, kids learn by example the only difference is that they amplify whatever they pick up.

Knowing this you must show them the right behavioral pattern so your kids can become exemplary. 

This is your cue to limit your kid’s screen time as much as possible. I know it’s convenient to just let them play with electronic devices all day but you’re doing them more harm than good.

Take them outside and let them experience the beauty of nature, their eyes and minds would thank you for it. 

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