'Screen time limits essential for child development'

Expert advises limiting screen time to 1 to 2 hours daily, encouraging outdoor play

ISLAMABAD:

Excessive use of mobile phones among children has become a pressing concern for parents, educators, and health experts. With the widespread availability of smartphones and tablets, children are spending increasing amounts of time glued to their screens, sparking fears about the impact on their physical and mental health.

Many parents report that their children spend hours each day playing games, watching videos, and chatting with friends on their mobile devices. This excessive screen time leads to various problems, including sleep deprivation, eye strain, and decreased attention span.

A mother of 10-year-old Sabrina while expressing her deep concern over her child's phone addiction said: "I have noticed a significant change in my child's behaviour since they started using a smartphone and they are constantly glued to the screen, and it's affecting their mood, their grades, and their overall health."

She said that children have become inseparable from their devices, adding that they can't seem to put it down, even during meals or family time. "I feel like I have lost control over my child's phone use which is affecting my child's grades and they are not focusing on their schoolwork like they should be.

They are constantly on it, and I don't know how to limit their screen time, she said.

Health experts warned that excessive mobile phone use could have serious long-term consequences for children, including increased risk of obesity, decreased physical activity, and impaired cognitive development.

A Paediatrician Saira Jabeen said, "Children need a balanced diet of physical activity, social interaction, and mental stimulation to develop properly, adding that excessive mobile phone use can disrupt this balance and have serious consequences for their health and well-being."

She advised limiting screen time to 1-2 hours daily and encouraging kids to engage in outdoor games and sports to promote physical activity and teamwork.

She recommended monitoring children's mobile phone use to set responsible boundaries and limits, while also encouraging social interaction to foster essential communication skills and emotional intelligence.