Modern children cannot imagine their life without gadgets and the Internet. They are well versed in them and are drawn to them from their birth. Many parents worry about their children's dependence on digital technologies. They're trying to set rules for their usage and figure out how long children can stay at the computer without harming their health. There are a lot of myths and controversies around this topic, so a little instruction from specialists will not hurt parents.
- Guide to Parents: Screen Time Norms
- How to distract your child from gadgets and why you need it
- Costs of being addicted to gadgets and virtual world
- A brief summary of how long children can sit at computer
Guide to Parents: Screen Time Norms
The digital age dictates its terms. Children from diapers learn how to use technology. Some parents support this interest with might and main. It is believed that in this way the child will better understand gadgets, and this will help him to develop intellectually and study better.
Many scientists and psychologists do not agree with this. They insist that time spent on a computer, tablet or smartphone must be regulated. Uncontrolled passion for gadgets, especially at early preschool age, threatens with serious violations in the development of the child.
See also: To read or not to read children's private messages on social networks
On the on the other hand, it is not to completely ban the use of technology and the internet. Experts stand for reasonable approach and common sense.
Here are the recommendations from MediaSmarts, an organization dedicated to digital and media literacy education.
How long can children sit at computer and other gadgets:
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Children 1-2 of years should only spend a few minutes a day on digital screens. At this age, they most of all need communication, creative and physical activity.
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For children 3-4 years, the time increases to 1 hours per day. Usually, preschoolers are fond of cartoons, so special attention should be paid to their quality and meaning. To distract the child from excessive viewing, you can invite him to engage in creative activities based on the cartoon: sculpting characters, coloring, role-playing games.
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From 5 to 10 years, children can use gadgets for no more than 1.5 hours per day. This is the right age to teach children how to use a computer for learning and development, and not just for fun.
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Screen time for kids 11-13 years — 2 hours per day. Teenagers must learn to regulate the time they are willing to devote to the virtual world. In turn, adults can show children that there are many interesting things in life without gadgets.
The younger the child, the less time they should spend in screens. For kids from 0 to 3 years leading — these are games, communication with other children and parents, creativity. Cartoons at preschool age can only be an addition to these activities, but in no case replace them.
Adolescents do not need strict control, but guiding activities from adults. Parents and educators should teach them how to use digital technologies for learning. They can also help a child find a balance between gadgets and other hobbies.
Read also: What what does being on social media lead to
How to distract a child from gadgets and why it is needed
Modern technologies and media resources — this is a new area for parents. Not a single generation has ever faced the problem of being addicted to gadgets. Therefore, it is difficult for parents to navigate this issue. Many are worried about how the digital world will affect the health of their children.
Researchers of this issue especially emphasize the fact that due to gadgets, children are deprived of free time for creativity and play. They communicate and interact less in offline life, but are more prone to anxious behavior.
Costs of getting carried away with gadgets and virtual world
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Weak development of fine motor skills in preschool children. This is the age for active knowledge of the world with the help of creativity. If a child spends all the time at the screen of a TV or computer, he does learn elementary things: from cutting with scissors to the ability to lace up shoes.
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Speech develops poorly in preschool children and cognitive interest in the world around loses.
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For children under 2 years of age, excessive viewing of television programs and cartoons on a tablet may be a provoking factor in the development of virtual autism (according study conducted by the Center for Autistic Children in Romania).
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Weak physical development and poor eyesight.
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Poor communication skills with other people.
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There is increased anxiety, depression and tendency to bad behavior.
Read also: Top 10 Interesting Facts About Internet Addiction
How to deal with this?
There is a lot of advice for parents. But practice shows that the most effective of them are:
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Own example. If mom and dad know the value of time, don disappear behind gadgets, and live an interesting life, then and the child will take an example from them.
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Communication and creativity.Parents should be interested in the life of the child, take an active part in it and support his creative hobbies.
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Physical Activity. Children of all ages need to spend a lot of time outdoors. Not only their health, but also intellectual development directly depends on this.
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Trust. Don press child threat and take away gadgets. Thus, mutual understanding between children and parents is lost. Teach your child to use digital technologies, consume information consciously and set reasonable rules.
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Family Leisure. It is important to spend time with the whole family, organize joint dinners, hikes, trips, holidays. The child should feel like an important part of the family and trust the parents.
A brief about how long children can sit at computer
Digital Technologies — it is part of our life and the future of our children. It's not to to fight with them, and to let this process take its course.
The biggest restrictions in gadget use are for preschool children.
It is better not to acquaint your child with gadgets until two years old, from 3 to 5 limit yourself to 1 hours per day.
Schoolchildren and teenagers get more freedom, but they need to learn competently and use technology to usefulness for their development and learning.
Read also: How to wean a child from gadgets: tips for parents
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