Waseem Raza Khan (Chief Editor)
In today’s digital age, mobile phones, tablets, laptops, and other electronic devices have become an essential part of life. Along with adults, young children’s dependence on these devices is also rapidly increasing. Parents, due to busyness or unawareness, are not paying enough attention to their children’s increasing screen time. As a result, serious adverse effects are being observed on the physical, mental, and social development of children.
Adverse Effects of Increasing Screen Time on Children
1. Negative Impact on Physical Health
Prolonged screen viewing leads to eye strain, vision problems, and complaints of headaches in children. Lack of physical activity increases the risk of obesity, muscle weakness, and lifestyle-related diseases.
2. Hindrance to Mental and Emotional Development
Excessive screen use is causing irritability, impatience, depression, and anger issues among children. Constant engagement with the digital world is weakening their social behavior, causing them to disconnect from the real world.
3. Decline in Academic Performance
Children who spend excessive time on screens show reduced interest in studies. Their concentration power decreases, and their memory is adversely affected, resulting in poor academic outcomes.
4. Risk of Digital Addiction
Many children are falling prey to digital addiction due to the lure of online games and social media, thereby hindering their overall development.
Measures to Keep Children Away from Mobile Phones and Online Gaming
1. Set Clear Rules and Boundaries
Establish strict and clear rules for children’s screen time. For example, allow no more than one hour of screen use per day.
2. Encourage Alternative Activities
Keep children engaged in outdoor games, painting, music, dance, reading, and other creative activities. Prioritize outdoor games to promote physical development.
3. Spend Quality Family Time
Playing, reading, and interacting regularly with family members is an effective way to keep children away from screens.
4. Be a Role Model
Parents should also limit their own screen use. Since children imitate adults, it is important to establish screen-free times at home.
5. Use Technological Controls
Utilize parental control apps to monitor screen time and content.
Plans and Initiatives Schools Can Implement
1. Digital Literacy and Awareness Programs
Educate children about the positive and negative impacts of digital devices. Teach them the importance of balanced digital usage.
2. Active Physical Education and Sports Programs
Make at least one hour of physical sports mandatory every day in schools, ensuring children channel their energy productively.
3. Declaration of ‘No Screen Day’
Observe a ‘No Screen Day’ once a week in schools, encouraging children to participate in creative activities without digital devices.
4. Expansion of Libraries and Creative Clubs
Establish engaging libraries, science clubs, music, and art clubs in schools to provide attractive alternatives to mobile phones.
5. Organizing Workshops for Parents
Regular workshops should be conducted for parents to make them aware of the dangers of excessive screen time and ways to manage it.
Conclusion
The future of today’s generation depends on their habits. If we fail to save children from mobile phone and online gaming addiction in time, their physical, mental, and social development will face serious threats. It is essential for parents, teachers, and every responsible member of society to work together. By promoting balanced digital use, we can encourage children to lead a healthy, active, and creative life. It is a shared responsibility that we must all fulfill.
