Parents in Bahrain concerned over kids' excessive screen time
TDT | Manama
The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com
Reported by Zahra Ayaz
With schools closing for the summer, children’s excessive screen time has been a cause of concern for most parents.
Many children spend more time on screens than is recommended. Estimates from primary research suggest only 17–23 percent of preschoolers and 15 percent of 5–12-year-olds meet screen time guidelines.
Screen time has been shown to increase between the ages of 10 and 14, especially among boys. The types of screen time that increased were electronic gaming for boys and TV, computer use, and social networking for girls.
According to a survey conducted by The Daily Tribune, an increasing number of parents are opposed to their children using phones, especially those under the age of 10. Mahwash Faraz told The Daily Tribune, "Although my daughter is only five years old, she already has an addiction to video games and YouTube videos.
Surprisingly, she also knows how to operate a phone. " She doesn’t talk to anyone and only wants food after I give her the phone so she can play games on it. I find it very challenging to manage her."
Another resident, Sara Udin, said: "Since his schools are closed, we plan to go out every day in the evening, but my kid has become a recluse. He is constantly on the phone playing PUBG with his friends."
According to psychologist and Educational consultant Deepthi Prasad, screen time addiction can have negative effects on children’s physical, mental, and social development, such as obesity, sleep problems, anxiety, depression, aggression, and isolation.
Therefore, it is important for parents to monitor and limit their children’s screen time and encourage them to engage in other activities that are beneficial for their well-being. Mrs. Deepthi has given some tips for parents to help their children overcome screen addiction.
" Set clear and consistent rules for screen time; for instance, you can limit screen time to one or two hours per day or only allow it after homework and chores are done. " You can also use parental controls or apps to block or restrict access to certain websites or apps that are not appropriate or educational for your children.
" Create a family screen time plan; you can include things like screen-free zones such as bedrooms or dining rooms, screen-free times such as before bedtime or during family meals, and screen-free activities such as reading, playing games, or going outdoors."
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