New research has found that while kids and teenagers are watching less TV, they are spending an increasing amount of time on mobile devices.
The research was done by U.S-based Common Sense Media also showed that at 11 years old, a majority (53 percent) of kids have their own smartphone, and, nearly one in five eight-year-olds (19 percent) have their own smartphone, an increase from 11 percent in 2015.
And this might be the same for Singapore where it is now a common sight to see young kids mobile devices glued to their eyes and hands.
A study by Google earlier this year found that children in Singapore get their first mobile device at the age of eight, making them the youngest smartphone users in the world.
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More Kids Watching YouTube
Just four years ago, the TV was still a popular platform for kids shows but now apps like YouTube have overthrown the TV to become the primary source of entertainment for the new generation.
The research pointed out that an average teenager now watches 24 minutes of TV and spends more than 7 hours on entertainment screen media—not including computers at school or using computers for homework.
As for online video-sharing giant YouTube, 76 percent of kids between the ages of 8 to 12 years old use the site despite not being the required age of 13.
56 percent of this same age group is also said to watch videos every day for 25 minutes to an hour, double the amount since 2015.
Findings Are ‘Worrisome Indicators’
According to James P. Seyer, founder, and CEO of Common sense, the new findings are a big problem.
“The study shows worrisome indicators as our most vulnerable population—our kids—are spending a lot of time on unregulated, unrated platforms that deliver content that can be inappropriate or even dangerous. And the shift from TV to online viewing means kids are often watching content alone.”
Internet Safety Guidelines
Here in Singapore, the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore is also concerned over the massive rise in smartphone devices among young people in the country.
To combat problems like cyber-bullying and exposure to inappropriate content, the agency has released guidelines regarding internet safety for parents. These include:
Keep the computer in a common area of the home (e.g. the living room) or set rules that your children must use their computer in a common area. Limit their time on it as well.
If you’re still not sure if your child is old enough to visit a certain site, go to a site valuation portal (like Commonsense Media), look for the site and see if it’s appropriate for them.
How To Keep Screen Time In Check In The Post Pandemic?
With work, school and play moving to virtual platforms in the wake of the pandemic, it is increasingly difficult to keep your eyes away from electronic screens. That’s why you need to set rules for yourself and your child to keep screen time in check.
1. Acknowledge Your Screen Time
The pandemic doesn’t seem to be going away anytime soon and that means the entire work-from-home and learn-from-home cycle is here to stay for some more time. That’s why it’s important for you to first acknowledge that your screen time consumption isn’t going to reduce anytime soon. That’s why the standards for reducing screen time need to be realistic.
If your child has six hours of classes that need to be attended, that is non-negotiable screen time right there. The same applies to your kid when chatting with his friends or socialising with people using an electronic device. The devices will also be used for leisure activities like watching videos, playing games or reading a book. So you simply cannot stop your child from doing these activities.
To really acknowledge the screen time in your child’s day-to-day activity, you need to stop making them feel guilty about it and then start working towards ways to reduce the amount they spend staring at the device.
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2. Ask Your Child To Take Short Breaks
With the screen times set for your child, it’s important to take short breaks to replenish energy, both mentally and physically. Ask your little one to take a break after every class. Take a walk around the house, stretch a little and then go back to the next class, as and when possible. This wouldn’t be more than 30 seconds to one minute but is necessary to avoid fatigue.
It’s also important that you inculcate the habit of asking them to take a walk outside the house if the conditions are safe. If you live in an apartment, you can take your child for a walk in the floor corridor or around the complex while wearing a face mask and other protective gear. Be extremely cautious about the number of cases in your housing complex or locality before stepping out of the house.
3. Create Device-Free Areas Around The House
Here’s another smart way to reduce screen time on kids mobile devices. Reduce the number of areas around the house where mobile devices are permitted. The kitchen and dining table need to be barred from any electronic devices for children as well as adults. Similarly, the bathroom can be a device-free zone and so can be the bedroom. That way, your child has fewer excuses to glue himself to the screen for long hours.
Image courtesy: iStock
4. Use One Screen At A Time
While you may restrict overall screen time, the problem in today’s homes is the passive screen time that can’t be scaled down. Children tend to watch cartoons on TV while playing games on a tablet or smartphone. Make it a rule where the child consumes only one screen at a time.
You can then add restrictions on the number of cartoons your child can watch or restrict TV time to one hour throughout the day.
5. Make Meals Screen-free
This goes without saying and should be strictly implemented by each member of the household. Make sure the child gets up and comes to the dining table to have his breakfast, lunch, snack or dinner throughout the day.
Use this time not only to complete and relish the meal but also to talk to each other. Always make it a point to have at least one meal together as a family in the day, to ensure you do spend quality time with each other.
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6. Look For Alternative Activities
It’s easier to reduce screen time if the activity does not require a screen in the first place. Use this opportunity to get your child to try out new hobbies like learning a musical instrument, reading a book, or something as simple as solving a puzzle.
You can also plan activities with your child too that do not require your kids mobile devices. Try baking, pretend-play games or planting a small garden in your home.
Ensure you follow these helpful guidelines, parents!
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