Combatting child screen addiction

Tons of studies demonstrate growing screen addiction amongst children these days is one of the alarming forms of addiction we are facing today.

As per research published in The National Library of Medicine; “multiple studies have shown that children in countries, such as China, India, and the United States, have screen exposure times that exceed the limits recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (less than one or two hours per day <1 or <2 hours/day).

Meanwhile, researchers argued that excessive screen media use can lead to physical and psychological problems in children, such as obesity, myopia, sleep problems, and anxiety.

Thus, the negative impact of screen time on children’s physical and mental health is a public health issue of widespread international concern.”

Unfortunately, we do not decipher how much is too much so the issue stays under cover without getting navigated and rectified.

Of course, we cannot abstain the kids from using technology but we certainly can set limits for when and what they are watching. That being said, if we dig into the reasons why this urge to watch is so intensified, we can make out that they are left with fewer ways to keep themselves engaged, shorter family units make parenting challenging and exhausting, and the ease of screen availability than ever.

However, one major skill that can be a good antidote to this screen addiction is inculcating the habit of “book reading” in children. It is immensely beneficial in the process of mental, social, and behavioural development of a child, and here is how it helps:

When you read to a child, it immediately helps to ‘bond’ with them. They sense a feeling of security and guidance when you set a particular time; preferably bedtime, for reading out to them. And with time, it fuels their inquisitiveness to learn more and books become their prime source to quench their thirst for curiosity.

Subsequently, it drills the skill of ‘active listening’ in them. The power to comprehend and therefore, navigate their ways to find solutions.

And this in turn helps to shape their ‘creative skills’. They explore new realms, and different perspectives, and develop a broader view of visualising the world through an entirely different lens.

Moreover, reading provides unmatchable ground to ‘expand vocabulary’ and gain command over a particular language.

Reading also improves ‘focus and attention’, thereby warding off distraction and tantrums that are a major syndrome in vastly screen-addicted kids these days.

Over the years, regular reading habits bolster their ‘life lessons’ to the next level turning them into responsible adults harnessing fair control over life’s issues.

If you too are desperately looking for ways to get rid of that tablet or phone from your child’s hands it is time to get some good books and make reading an irrevocable habit!