Television and cell phones today are like "everyday food" for children because they have become part of everyday life. Both are so easily accessible due to technological changes in this modern era.

Cell phones are no longer an expensive item that only adults have. Most children have their own cell phones, both for communicating with parents or friends and as support for education. Even though television and cell phones are something that cannot be abandoned in modern life, you still need to limit children's "screen time" to televisions and cell phones. Watching TV and using cell phones excessively can have a negative impact on children's overall health and well-being.

The adverse effects of excessive TV watching and prolonged use of cell phones

Spending more time watching TV and playing on cell phones can have negative impacts on children, including:

Risk of obesity

The more time children spend watching TV and playing on their cellphones, the greater the risk of becoming overweight. This is due to a lack of necessary physical activity and too much time spent sitting or lying down.

Being overweight and obese is not just about obesity but rather an increased risk of long-term health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol later in life, which are much more dangerous.

Sleep deprivation

Children who excessively watch TV and use cellphones often experience reduced sleep duration. The blue light emitted by electronic devices can disrupt melatonin production, a hormone crucial for regulating sleep. Consequently, children may struggle with sleeping difficulties or experience low-quality sleep.

Behavior problems

Elementary school children who exceed two hours daily watching TV or using cell phones face heightened risks of emotional, social, and attention-related issues. They may incline toward violent content, encounter challenges in social interactions, and experience difficulties concentrating and focusing on school assignments.

Impact on academic performance

Excessive TV watching and cell phone use can impact children's academic performance. Monitoring electronic device usage and fostering an environment conducive to learning and rest are crucial to preventing distractions that may hinder academic outcomes.

Recommended children's screen time

Considering the potential negative effects mentioned earlier, it's recommended to restrict children's TV watching and cellphone use. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry has set specific TV viewing guidelines for children based on age:

Below 2 years old

According to WHO, children under 2 years of age are not recommended to watch TV or watch on cell phones. However, the AAC allows children under 2 years of age to watch TV with certain educational program options

Between 2 and 5 years old

Children aged 2–5 years are allowed to watch 1 hour of TV on weekdays and 3 hours on weekends or less.

Above 6 years old

There is no specific time limit, according to the AAC for children aged 6 years and over. However, parents need to invite their children to be more physically active, play outdoors, exercise and reduce sedentary activities.

Apart from limiting your child's screen time, don't forget to be a role model for your child so that they also imitate your good and healthy habits. If you need medical advice or consultation, you can either visit a doctor or make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.

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