Palejovo ABC - SCREENS

By the time the toddler learns to speak, he will probably have mastered to perfection turning on music and taking pictures with his phone. He will also learn to operate the TV remote control and enthusiastically press the keys on the computer keyboard. Even if he doesn't watch cartoons at home, his grandparents may have managed to show him some movies. Despite sincere intentions, it's hard to avoid screens these days. They are practically everywhere - on the street, in stores and even in museums.

Sooner or later a child will come into contact with technology. There is nothing wrong with this, because nowadays it is difficult to function without knowing how to use electronic equipment. Phones, tablets or computers are useful tools - we don't need to demonize them. Instead, let's teach children to use them responsibly.

The WHO and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that children under the age of two should not use screens at all. An exception is made for conversations with family via electronic media. As children get older, the amount of time they can safely spend using electronics increases. Thus, for children from 2 to 6 years old it is 20 minutes a day. For children from 6 to 12, a maximum of 2 hours in front of screens is recommended, while for older children it is 2-3 hours.

In times of remote working and studying, long car or plane trips, adhering to these standards becomes a real challenge.

So whenever possible, encourage children to be active outside the home or play freely without electronics. Such play helps a child develop motor, social and intellectual skills. A little exercise and eye rest is also useful every day. To more effectively convince children not to use mobile devices so much of the time, it's worth taking a look at their habits. If parents inextricably associate their children with a phone in their hand, it's harder to be reliable and convince your kid that it's better to play ball outside than to train their fingers while playing Brawl Stars.

Why turn off screens after work/school?

There are three main elements we will look at: sleep, child development and human relations.

Dream

The screens of electronic devices emit blue light, which our brain interprets as daylight. Therefore, using mobile devices before bed (and especially in a dark room) causes us to secrete less melatonin. Melatonin regulates the biological clock and helps us maintain our diurnal rhythm. Blue light interferes with the secretion of this hormone and makes it harder to fall asleep. For this reason, researchers recommend turning off all electronic devices at least an hour before bedtime and letting melatonin lull us to sleep.

For teens who often use their phones without parental supervision, it's worth looking into whether electronics are shortening their sleep. Sitting up late in front of a screen takes away the time needed for nightly rest, and thus the teen stops getting enough sleep. Prolonged fatigue can then translate into decreased mood, increased appetite, and decreased ability to concentrate and learn.

Child development

Advertisements and various apps encourage us to show children educational videos and install special apps or games. Are they really effective and helpful in child development? Not necessarily.

Studies have shown that the more time young children spent with mobile devices, the greater the risk of delayed speech development. Children learn new words more effectively when interacting with another person than from videos or apps (even those described as educational). Additionally, when they learn words through mobile devices, they may later have trouble using them in the right context during conversation.

The use of electronics also translates into the development of imagination and creativity. In order for us to successfully imagine something we need to experience it through multiple senses. Apps, games and movies limit the experience to sight and hearing. For harmonious development, it is important for a child to experience the world through all senses. Touch, smell and the sense of balance, which children train during free play, promote proper development.

Human relations

Mobile devices can connect, but they can also divide. Nowadays, for many families, the only way to contact family members is becoming various types of instant messaging. It is worth inviting and encouraging children to such conversations. They won't replace a hug from beloved grandparents, but they will allow us to maintain the relationships that are important to us.

For older children, mobile devices serve an important function in interacting with peers. Using social media, playing games, sharing photos - these are all activities that help growing children build relationships with their peers.

However, excessive use of mobile devices can contribute to conflicts and misunderstandings at home. Preoccupied with using electronics, parents lose attention to their kids. It's then easier to overlook warning signals or requests for contact that children send. Likewise, children who are stuck in the virtual world cease to be present, do not hear what their parents are saying, and no longer feel like talking face to face.

If your child has been spending hours at device screens so far, you may be tempted to cut him off from electronics overnight. However, such a strategy may prove ineffective and damage your relationship. It's better to start by gradually reducing time on the phone or computer. The child will have a chance to slowly adapt to the new rules and will accept them more easily. This will avoid many unnecessary arguments and tensions.

A timer can be helpful in controlling the time in front of the screen. Agree with your child how many minutes you will set it for. When the passing time can be observed, it will cease to be such an abstract concept for the child. At the same time, you will avoid accusations that you are cutting short the time for playing or watching cartoons.

Talk to your children about using electronics wisely and responsibly. Give your child the rules for safe surfing on the Internet, think together about the dangerous situations that may be lurking there. Assure your child that he or she can come to you with any issue that concerns him or her, and then he or she will get the support and help they need from you.

Look for gentle movies that show good behavior patterns. Watch together, talk about what happened on the screen. Then indeed electronics will have an educational dimension. And in addition, you will take care of your mutual relationship.