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• How often does your kids spend watching TV?
• How much time do they spend on their phone?
• Do you know the effect of excess screen on kids?

Check out this article! and find out everything you need to know concerning this matter...

SCREEN TIME

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Screen time is basically any time spent or allotted to using any device with a screen on it. Screen time may include; watching TV, playing video games, pressing your phone or using the computer. It is a time that lets you know the amount of time one spends on their phones, apps or computers. It is a sedentary activity because it involves you being physically inactive, meaning sitting or lying down with little to no movement and expelling less energy.

Recent research has proven that screen time influences the mental and physical development of a child. The level and rate at which children are exposed to screen could have a positive or negative effect on them.

HEALTH EFFECT OF SCREEN TIME ON CHILDREN

Excessive screen time has been linked to have serious negative health effects on children. Some of which include;

1. OBESITY

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Screen time increases the risk of children gaining excess weight. This is because it is a sedentary activity meaning the children are made to just sit or lay down doing nothing else except looking at the screen. As a result, the kids uses little to no energy and becomes inactive.

Also children tend to eat more while watching TV. This and poor food choice as a result of the kind of food advert displayed on The TV screen, which are usually high in sugar, fat and salt. Are some of the reasons that contributes to a child's chances of gaining excess weight.

2. INHIBITION OF THE MENTAL DEVELOPMENT OF A CHILD'S BRAIN.

Research has shown that excessive screen hinders some basic aspects of a child's development by limiting their focus and interest in learning and exploring. Kids learn by exploring their surrounding, observing the older ones and then impersonating them.

Frequent interaction with screens will inhibit a child's ability to notice and witness the usual regular daily activities they need to engage with in order to learn about the world and environment they live in. Leading to a kind of one-sided view which can be damaging to overall development.

3.POOR LANGUAGE AND COMMUNICATION FORMATION.

Studies has proven that speaking with children in a dialogue format is very essential for the development of language and socializing skills. It is that active dialogue conversation which involves facial expressions and actual reaction to other persons in real life that improves communication skills in young kids rather than the passive interaction with a screen. In other words, excessive interaction with screens can result to poor communication and socializing skills in kids, leading them to become socially inept.

4. SLEEPLESSNESS

We all know how important it is for a growing child to get enough sleep. Unfortunately, when kids interact too much with screens, it inhibits the sleeping hormone "melatonin".

In humans, there is a sleeping hormone which becomes fully active when the sun sets. But the lights from screens can inhibits this sleeping hormone thereby delaying sleep. Note that phones and tablets inhibits the melatonin faster than TV screens. This is because, in smartphones, the screen and the blue light emitted is closer to the face.

PRATICAL WAYS TO CURB OR REDUCE EXCESSIVE SCREEN TIME FOR KIDS

• Set Some Certain time Screen Free- It is extremely important to create that balance between screen time, the fantasy land for kids and real life. Parents should arrange and agree on a time that will be screen free. For instance, during meal time, bed time or family time no screens should be allowed. This will encourage children to have other focus and interests and improve their interaction with other people.

• Live by Example
  We should try to remember that children learn by observing and imitating the people in their lifes. We should try to limit our own use of screen also, so that our children will follow suit.

• Monitor and Engage The Kids While they are on Screen-
  Parents and guardians should pay attention to their kids, accompany them while they are watching the TV. Engage them, comment on things you notice and ask them questions that way they can learn from what they watch.
  
  

CONCLUSION

Excessive screen time has been proven to have various side effects on kids. Most time parents and guardians are guilty of giving children this devices to occupy them and keep them busy we they carry on with their work. This is very bad. We should try our possible le best to do the right thing always.