In the 21st century, there is hardly any kid who can live without their phones & tablets. And why only kids, every grown-up feel weird if you ask them to live without their phone for a single day. Have you ever thought about how much time you or your kids spend on a screen? Whether it’s smartphones, video gaming, or television screens, the amount of time we spend on electronic devices can be a problem.
Doctors recommend parents about setting screen time limits for their kids and actively monitoring media use. Too much time spend on screens can lead to various problems, including obesity, behavioral changes or loss of social skills, less time for play, irregular or shorter sleep duration. Here are 5 proven benefits of limiting screen time for kids that can help improve their health and productivity.
1. Improved Physical Health.
Nowadays, children watch television, play video games, or spend time on smartphones. Because of this, they are not physically active, and it affects their health and overall well-being. Physical inactivity and snacking while sitting in front of computers and smartphones can lead to obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, asthma, and many other health risks.
If your child is regular at physical activity, he will have better cardiorespiratory fitness, stronger bones, higher energy levels, and they have a lower risk for a variety of diseases. So, for the physical health of your kids, parents must limit their exposure to digital media and be good role models. You must encourage them to do stretching exercises, practice yoga poses, walk on a treadmill, or even lift weights in order to increase physical fitness.
2. Enough Time to Play
Parents and caregivers must set rules to reduce screen time and limit the time spent by children on the computers, television, or playing video games. Make them understand that it is important to sit to stay away from the screen as much as possible to stay healthy. Ask them to go outdoor and play games with other kids. Parents should also spend time with their kids and keep their phones away.
Taking a walk or playing outdoors with kids increases endorphins that provide happiness and boost your mood. It promotes your brain health and keeps you physically active. Parents can also encourage them to solve puzzles, play sudoku, or other board games. Make sure you plan other activities and keep your child entertained even without a screen, says Peter, who provides pay someone to write my research paper services.
3. Reduce Eye Strain and Prevent Headaches.
In 2015, a study found the relation between high levels of screen time and migraines in young adults. There are many symptoms of spending too much time on screen, including blurry vision, sore and tired eyes, headache behind the eyes, dry eyes, sensitivity to light and sound, shoulder pains, and much more. Eye strain occurs when your eyes look at computer and device screens for a longer time.
Excessive screen time can result in headaches and reduces your child’s ability to concentrate. So, it becomes important to ask your child to put their device down. Limiting screen time can help your child to reduce eye strain and prevent headaches. Parents should help their children understand the benefits of spending less time on screens, says David, who provides do my accounting homework services.
4. Increase Focus and Productivity
A survey found that teens spend a minimum of 7.5 hours of screen time a day on average. Research shows that the overuse of gadgets and spending more time on social media can lead to loneliness and depression in young adults. By limiting the time spent on mobile phones and social media platforms, you can help your child to increase their productivity and focus.
Prolonged screen time results in anxiety and stress, and it affects your child’s attention and concentration. Limiting screen time will help your child focus on your surroundings and acknowledge the smaller things that can make them happy. It will help your child to finish their tasks quickly and hence improve their productivity and efficiency. Ask your child to turn off notifications on their phone when they are doing homework or studying.
5. Improved Sleep Time and Boost your Mood
According to a survey, parental monitoring led to less screen time and reduced exposure to media violence. Using mobile phones before bed can affect your child’s ability to fall asleep, says John, a programming expert who provides python assignment help services to students. The light emitted from screens impairs the production of melatonin in the brain. This chemical regulates your child’s sleep cycle.
Less screen time can lead to improved sleep time, decreased body mass index (a measure of body fat based on weight and height), better grades at school, improved social skills, and reduced aggression. Ask your child to read a book or listen to music or an audiobook before going to bed. These little bits of digital escapes can bring huge benefits to your child’s health and boost their overall mood.
Conclusion
Parents should spend time with their kids to know what their child is watching or hearing online through social media, playing video games, or watching TV. Research shows that violent content can change kids’ behavior, and they may become aggressive with time. Make sure you don’t allow a TV or any other tech screen device like iPads, smartphones in your child’s room. Even working parents should fix time to spend time with their kids and become their role models by limiting their screen time as well.