Technology for Kids: How Much Is Good Enough or Dangerous?
The children of this generation grew up having access to technology practically since they were born.
From playing with a cell phone, watching videos on YouTube, to enjoying a movie on a tablet, computer or television, this is the new entertainment for kids.
However, the World Health Organization (WHO), alarmed by the effects of technology on children, recommends that children should not use electronic devices under two years.
According to Vix, these are the suggestions to parents to control toddlers and time on screen.
Sedentariness vs. activity
For WHO, it is necessary to define the time children spend without physical activity at an early age to avoid a sedentary lifestyle.
In this case, the conscious use of screens is important.
“Sedentary behaviors, whether using motorized transport instead of walking or cycling, sitting at the desk at school, watching television or playing screens are increasingly predominant and associated with poor health.”
Explanation remarked in a guide prepared by the organism.
In addition, they point out that sleep also influences physical well-being.
This is because sleeping a few hours is related to overweight and obesity in childhood and adolescence.
Plus, mental problems among adolescents.
And if you ask yourself, how to combat a sedentary lifestyle in children, WHO determines it by age:
Babies under 1 year:
Do not use screens
30 minutes face down throughout the day
Do not spend more than an hour in strollers or chairs
Sleep between 14 and 17 hours a day
Children of 1 and 2 years:
Do not use screens
3 hours of physical activity throughout the day
Do not spend more than an hour in strollers or chairs
Sleeping from 11 to 14 hours a day, including naps
Children of 3 and 4 years:
Do not spend more than an hour of screens per day
3 hours of physical activity, one of them of moderate to vigorous intensity
No more than one hour sitting or subject
Sleep from 10 to 13 hours
In other words, apply a simple formula: more time with the cellphone is equal to a more sedentary lifestyle.
Responsible for childhood obesity and physical activity for children, Dr. Juana Willumsen, explained in the report that what we have to do is that children play again.
The goal would be to replace the time children spend in front of a screen with more active games, and, after this, make sure they get enough sleep.
Otherwise, the WHO does not consider passive activities if the children are, for example, imitating the dance movements of a video or talking by cellphone to a relative in another country.
World Health Organizations recommendations
Therefore, some activities might help with children’s cognitive development:
Reading a child.
Telling stories.
Singing.
Doing puzzles.
In the case of sedentary time, it must be quality time, with or without technology.
To develop language skills it could be helpful reading a book together, you and your child.
Dr. Willumsen added the comparison saying that “If someone gives a tablet to a child who is sitting in the stroller is not receiving the same thing”.
