Returning to School… Experts Warn Against Screen Addiction!

There are only a few days left for schools to open… It is necessary to manage the return to school process correctly for children who spend more time with computers, phones, tablets during the summer vacation. Pediatric Neurology Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hepsen Mine Serin warns parents at this point, stating that school-age children can become screen addicts, and therefore it is necessary to make a plan with their children and set some rules.

With the rapid development of technology today, the use of portable and easily accessible devices is increasing every day in childhood. Children use mobile devices mostly to have fun, play games or watch videos, but increased screen exposure brings some risks on children’s development. Especially until they are 18 months old, children should definitely not be exposed to screens, and in early childhood, the time spent in front of the screen should be limited to a maximum of one hour per day. The World Health Organization also published guidelines related to healthy physical activity, sedentary behavior (inactivity), and sleep in children under 5 years old in 2019, emphasizing that children under 1 year old should not be exposed to screens. Intense screen exposure negatively affects children’s cognitive, physical and psychosocial development.

7 effective suggestions against screen addiction!

Tie children’s screen usage time, content, time and place to rules.
Definitely keep children under two years away from the screen. Definitely do not give them a mobile phone or tablet.
Do not allow screen use during meals and one hour before bedtime.
Make sure the television is not working in the background while spending time with the child.
Give importance to sleep routine and physical activities necessary for healthy development.
Take necessary precautions to prevent access to dangerous or inappropriate content websites.
Explain the reason for the precautions to be taken regarding screen and internet use to your child and cooperate with your child.