SCREEN TIME KIDS BRAIN
As we know all, this generation gets faster than we can. Things around us seem to be ephemeral except high-tech. We say high-tech, it includes smartphone, laptop, computer, tablet, smart watch even TV. In real, we refer to all devices which have screen, old or new. Our kids are the main target of these new technologies from apps and games to social media and they spend hours on it.
They are more curious when a brand new device arrives as they expect to have one. This is one reason, but let us analyse the other reasons that push our children to use more screen. What are the consequences of using them ?
REASON OF USING SCREEN
TO BE UPDATE
Most kids want to have a smartphone just that some of their friends have one. It is the bad effects of living in society. Kids are not like adult since their brains are not as ours. They have this behaviour of comparing their lives from their friends. They are more sensible in every action passing around them. As parent, you can not stand when your seven or ten years-old girls asks you : « Mom, why do not I have an iPad whereas all my classmate have one ? ». The result you buy her one.
TO BE ON FASHION
Kids are kids as we usually said but they are currently become a little adult. They are more informed than you when a brand new devices appears such as iPhone X or iPhone 8 Red. It is fascinating in one hand because it’s the children are always younger but in the other hand it may increase many questions in mind of how they can get such information since they spend most of their time at school. Even the camera of the phone is important for them. Taking photos wherever they are, whatever they do with whoever they are. A little things like this remains the most important for our children.
GAMES
This is the ancestors of the screen matters. Games began with 300 games by Super Mario and grows up with GTA. It never stops giving news to players. Sometimes, children wait for the games release impatiently. They want to be the first who have the game.
FOLLOWING SERIALS/CARTOONS
Girls are the reference here as they are most interested in watching series or cartoons.
Barby or Violetta are the most followed on TV and became an after-school plan action. It is not acceptable for a little girl to miss one episode when they get home. Studies Study is put at the end of this list since it is the last reason of why kids use screen device. For study, it is parent who decide here that their children need tablet for their studies and buy their one. Although, only few files on their phone or document are about studies.
RESULTS
NO TIME FOR FAMILY
Sitting and playing phone remains primary for kids. It is their lives, they do not have any matter apart from playing games or doing something with their tablet or phones. They find refuge towards their best friend (phone) after school as they think it calms down their mind.
INCREASE EYE DISEASES
In average, a child should spend at one or two hours per day. If this limit is not respected, the child must suffer from irregular sleep patterns. This may prompt eye disease which obliged them to wear glasses.
ADDICTED TO TECHNOLOGY
Technology is considered as the best friend of children. This fact determines that they are addicted to it. They can not bear not to use phone for one day, even few minutes since it is indispensable for them. A concrete example is listening to music all of the time by using earphone.
IGNORE REAL LIFE
Kids who use technology may get knowledge but it does not mean that they know life. It is like an « limited edition » because they do not know life out of the bulb they have built themselves. Their lives risk not to make sense if they decide to stay inside the bulb.
ACQUIRE KNOWLEDGE
Sure, technology provides much information because it is among the main source of knowledge. Children can acquire or learn something by using it. It impels their inquisitiveness. They can be resourceful.
RECOMMENDATION
TALK TO THEM
Talking talking talking ! The best way of communication which is successful for parents for children. First, talk about life, the real one, open their eyes by showing them the importance of living without screen. Because you are talking to a kid, get their attention to something that they would like by first sight. You should keep in mind that you talk to kids not to an adult so always think what kids should think.
PLAN SOMETHING WITH THEM
Sometimes it is the fact that you are not with them most of the time that your children seek for other support. So it is time for you to grant time for your children. For instance, having dinner every day around the dinning room like years before may wake up sense to family member.
LIMIT ACCESS TO THEIR DEVICES
Parents are in one part responsible if their children allow more time on screen. To avoid this, you have to monitor the device of your kids by locking them with code. One way also is to set time of using device. In that case, they can do anything else to use their brains.
AVOID TV IN THEIR BEDROOM
All parent are recommended not to install TV on their children bedroom. Kids may attempt to watch it wherever they want and you can not have time to look after them.
REGISTER THEM TO SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
Kids who use computer, smartphone or tablet are not open-minded as they do not use their brains, it is their devices which do it instead. So, if you want your children to be smart as they should be, register them to activities in their school. Register them not only in one activity but two or three may increase their sense of imagination and wake up their brains.
In one word, « education » is the key to balance screen time and brains for kids. It is as in movies, parents are managers and children are the actors. This last have given the scene and only them can find what would be needed to improve their act.