Screen Time Guideline for Children

In today’s digital age, screens are ubiquitous, influencing our work, lifestyle, and leisure activities.

Statistics on children’s screen time provide a clearer view of the current digital landscape. For children, screen time refers to the hours they spend interacting with electronic devices like tablets, smartphones, computers, televisions, and gaming consoles.

In Malaysia, research indicates that children aged 2 to 17 spend an average of 3 to 4 hours daily on screens, with smartphones being the most popular choice among teenagers and children.

Recommended screen time guideline

The American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP) has recommended the following guideline based on children age group:

Common children’s onscreen activities

Children have a variety of screen-based activities to choose from, ranging from entertainment and education to socialising. Understanding these activities is crucial to evaluating their impact on children’s growth and development.

Pros and benefits of screen time for children

Screens offer great opportunities for children to foster and explore their creativity in music, arts, acting, and other forms of self-expression through a variety of creative apps available online. These apps help children showcase their talents and develop new skills.

In addition, digital communication platforms allow children to express themselves through text, voice, and video. Engaging with these platforms can help enhance their communication skills and encourages them to articulate their thoughts and emotions effectively.

Educational apps have further revolutionised how children acquire new knowledge. Unlike traditional classroom teaching, interactive apps provide a broader and deeper understanding of various concepts, making learning more engaging and effective.

Screen time also facilitates social interactions across geographical distances. Children can connect with friends and relatives in different cities or countries, and video chat services enable parents to maintain close bonds with their kids despite being miles apart. Moreover, children can interact with subject experts worldwide, benefiting their studies and broadening their perspectives.

Cons and effects of excessive screen time

Excessive screen time in children can lead to various health issues, such as poor posture, eye strain, obesity, insomnia, and improper eating habits. Studies have shown that prolonged screen exposure, particularly before bedtime, can disrupt sleep patterns and affect the quality of rest.

Additionally, too much screen content can reduce attention spans and increase anxiety levels in children, posing a risk of developing an addiction to digital media and devices.

While digital screens help us stay connected with loved ones who are far away, overreliance on them can reduce face-to-face communication, hindering the development of essential social skills. Furthermore, there is a risk of cyberbullying and safety concerns, necessitating parental supervision.

Though screens can significantly support education, excessive use can impede cognitive development. It interferes with problem-solving abilities, creative thinking, and attention span. Therefore, it is crucial to balance screen time to ensure healthy development.

How can we reduce screen time to strike the right balance?

Realising the potential impact of excessive screen time on growing children, there are some practical strategies that can be implemented to help maintain a healthy balance for screen time exposure.

• Parents or caregivers need to set strict screen time limits for their children. For example, establish specific time blocks for the day or week, and ensure the restrictions are followed through with the children.
• Specific areas of the home such as the living room, dining room, kitchen can be designated as no-screen-allowed zones. This will help to develop quality family interaction and encourage healthier habits.
• Parents or caregivers need to monitor content for age appropriateness. Most digital devices come with parental controls to ensure that the content accessed is suitable for their child’s age and maturity level. They can do so by blocking or filtering out age-inappropriate content. Parents can also track and regulate their child’s screen time.
• Parents or caregivers can encourage their children to engage in screen activities that align with their interests and have creative or educational value. By choosing meaningful screen activities for the children, they will be able to reap more benefits than risks of excessive screen time.
• While online activities are engaging, parents or caregivers can offer and encourage a variety of alternative offline activities for their children to explore. These could be arts and crafts, reading, hobbies or physical activities. These activities can foster a well-rounded development, which includes developing physical health, social interaction, creativity and communication skills.
• Children learn by observing their parents. Parents or caregivers can set a good example and be a role model by limiting their own screen time and give importance to family time without a screen. Spend time engaging with the children in shared activities such as outings, board games, or outdoor plays.
• Chat with your child about the importance of balancing screen time to let them understand the adverse effects of excessive screen time and reasons to have limited screen time. Engage with your child and let them be part of the process when setting screen time rules.

Make an appointment at Gleneagles Hospitals

Striking a balance between healthy development and screen time for your child is essential in this digital era. Achieving this balance requires open communication and a commitment to fostering the overall growth of our children in the digital age.

Get in touch with us to book an appointment today for a consultation, or visit our Paediatric Care Department at your nearest Gleneagles Hospital.