BALANCING SCREEN TIME
Published: 06:07 PM,Jul 08,2024 | EDITED : 10:07 PM,Jul 08,2024
BALANCING SCREEN TIME
Electronic games are considered part of modern culture, and they have become very popular in various parts of the world. Many of our children spend a lot of time in front of the computer or mobile phone, playing electronic games, and they develop such major problems that a new diagnosis called Internet Gaming Disorder has been proposed.
They certainly have an impact on the behaviour of children.
Studies indicate that there is a link between frequent playing of violent and aggressive games and aggressive behaviour in children. Although sports, war and combat games may be popular among boys, it is important to ensure that violence and aggression are not promoted in these games.
Previous medical studies confirm that excessive screen use by young children can lead to them being less able to recognise emotions, but some children master values through games, and many find friendship and social cohesion.
Some studies have found that the percentage of children owning electronic devices of various types is 99 per cent, of whom more than 75 per cent own mobile phones, more than 45 per cent of children own computers, more than 35 per cent own tablets, and 5 per cent own other devices.
The study showed that more than 35 per cent own video games, which differ in terms of the way they are played and presented, as most of them are linked to violence, murder, hatred, and many ideas that are alien to our societies.
Dr Humaid bin Salem al Hinai, a trainer in human development, mentions that a balance is required when children use electronic games because of their psychological impact as the child may simulate something that is not real.
Some studies also indicate a number of positive and negative effects that may occur. On the positive side, electronic games help children improve their creativity, critical thinking, cognitive skills, and communication with others. They may also help improve children’s abilities to solve problems and make correct decisions.
On the negative side, electronic games can affect children’s social behaviour, and may increase sleep disturbances and reduce physical activity and social interaction in the real world. In addition, some violent electronic games can lead to an increased tendency towards violence. To reduce the negative effects of electronic games on children’s behaviour, parents should monitor when children use electronic games and provide them with effective positive alternative activities.
Spending too much time playing video games instead of indulging in physical activities may harm a child’s health in many ways. A child’s cognitive development may be affected if they do not go out and socialise in the real world.
Constantly sitting in one place and playing prolonged video games can increase the chances of obesity, weaken muscles and joints, and make hands and fingers numb due to excessive stress, and multiple studies indicate that it can impair eyesight.
Children are exposed to wrong values through video games, as many video games contain excessive violence, profanity, racism, and many other things that children cannot imagine in the correct way. So, they may fail to take these images with caution and may end up trying to emulate the same behaviour as depicted in the games.
The danger of games reaches the stage of depression and isolation for the child and that child begins to imitate the characters he sees. It also afflicts him with a state of laziness, lethargy and a lack of social relationships because it takes up a lot of his time, and transforms him over time from an active child into a lazy child and full of negativity, because all his thoughts are about the game to be associated with him in a psychological state.
Mental health consultants warn that a child’s time playing electronic games exposes him to depression at a rate of 70 to 80 per cent, but what is happening now is that many children spend long hours a day exceeding those percentages, which exposes them to greater depression.
To reduce the risks of electronic games, parents are advised to oblige the child to a specific time for playing, while monitoring these games and their quality, and tend to involve the child in sports clubs to practice the games and hobbies they love, and to use free time to learn useful things, and to develop a weekly plan to visit family and relatives to strengthen family and community ties.
They certainly have an impact on the behaviour of children.
Studies indicate that there is a link between frequent playing of violent and aggressive games and aggressive behaviour in children. Although sports, war and combat games may be popular among boys, it is important to ensure that violence and aggression are not promoted in these games.
Previous medical studies confirm that excessive screen use by young children can lead to them being less able to recognise emotions, but some children master values through games, and many find friendship and social cohesion.
Some studies have found that the percentage of children owning electronic devices of various types is 99 per cent, of whom more than 75 per cent own mobile phones, more than 45 per cent of children own computers, more than 35 per cent own tablets, and 5 per cent own other devices.
The study showed that more than 35 per cent own video games, which differ in terms of the way they are played and presented, as most of them are linked to violence, murder, hatred, and many ideas that are alien to our societies.
Dr Humaid bin Salem al Hinai, a trainer in human development, mentions that a balance is required when children use electronic games because of their psychological impact as the child may simulate something that is not real.
Some studies also indicate a number of positive and negative effects that may occur. On the positive side, electronic games help children improve their creativity, critical thinking, cognitive skills, and communication with others. They may also help improve children’s abilities to solve problems and make correct decisions.
On the negative side, electronic games can affect children’s social behaviour, and may increase sleep disturbances and reduce physical activity and social interaction in the real world. In addition, some violent electronic games can lead to an increased tendency towards violence. To reduce the negative effects of electronic games on children’s behaviour, parents should monitor when children use electronic games and provide them with effective positive alternative activities.
Spending too much time playing video games instead of indulging in physical activities may harm a child’s health in many ways. A child’s cognitive development may be affected if they do not go out and socialise in the real world.
Constantly sitting in one place and playing prolonged video games can increase the chances of obesity, weaken muscles and joints, and make hands and fingers numb due to excessive stress, and multiple studies indicate that it can impair eyesight.
Children are exposed to wrong values through video games, as many video games contain excessive violence, profanity, racism, and many other things that children cannot imagine in the correct way. So, they may fail to take these images with caution and may end up trying to emulate the same behaviour as depicted in the games.
The danger of games reaches the stage of depression and isolation for the child and that child begins to imitate the characters he sees. It also afflicts him with a state of laziness, lethargy and a lack of social relationships because it takes up a lot of his time, and transforms him over time from an active child into a lazy child and full of negativity, because all his thoughts are about the game to be associated with him in a psychological state.
Mental health consultants warn that a child’s time playing electronic games exposes him to depression at a rate of 70 to 80 per cent, but what is happening now is that many children spend long hours a day exceeding those percentages, which exposes them to greater depression.
To reduce the risks of electronic games, parents are advised to oblige the child to a specific time for playing, while monitoring these games and their quality, and tend to involve the child in sports clubs to practice the games and hobbies they love, and to use free time to learn useful things, and to develop a weekly plan to visit family and relatives to strengthen family and community ties.