Screen Time Smart: What Screens Are Doing to Your Kids' Health
In today's world, avoiding screens entirely is nearly impossible. However, for children, the damage could be significant. What's the recommended screen time for kids?
- רות ליאת פלץ
- פורסם ט' סיון התשפ"ג
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Leading health organizations including the Medical Association, Pediatricians Association, Child Psychiatry Association, Neurologists Association, Ophthalmologists Association, Nutritionists Association, as well as representatives from the Ministry of Health and Teachers' Union, have signed a groundbreaking document warning parents about the dangers of exposing infants to screens. They emphasize that prolonged screen exposure, for both children and adults, poses health risks. Their recommendations:
1. Do not allow any screen time for children under one and a half years old.
2. For ages three to five, limit screen time to one hour per day.
3. For ages 5-18, usage should not exceed two hours per day.
4. For those 18 and older (including adults), the suggestion is no more than four hours of screen use daily.
Here are the consequences of prolonged screen exposure, including handheld games with blue light (like Gameboy):
1. Severe sleep disturbances from screen viewing - Many families have resorted to melatonin supplements increasingly over the past three years to fall asleep at night. It's astounding that infants are unable to sleep on their own. This situation is significantly impacted by excessive screen use.
2. Anxiety, depression - Studies demonstrate that prolonged screen use increases the risk of anxiety and depression.
3. Obesity - Noticed how hard it is to lose weight lately? It stands to reason that sitting for extended periods in front of a screen instead of engaging in even basic physical activity makes weight gain easier...
4. Blurred vision and other eye issues - There's no doubt that blue light from screens is already wreaking havoc.
5. Research indicates an increase in developmental issues, especially social development, attention and concentration problems, and even challenges with math comprehension and cognitive function due to excessive childhood screen exposure.
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