The Momma Clan

It is strange nowadays when  we hear  “Too much of screen time  for kids is not good.” But mobile is a must now for many of us and children also . 

During the Covid time, these gadgets: mobile, iPad, laptop and television were the support system to many in the world. People staying faraway  from their  families could talk and watch their families and feel happy. 

They say, “Time moves on,” and it did and normalcy prevailed.

People started their  normal  work duties, the children started going to school and the homemakers were happy  that they could watch their favourite programmes when no one was at home, as they hardly got time to watch anything when all were  at home 24/7.

Did this screen time habit became an addiction  due to no other activities?

In our time, we had only a radio and that too we could hear the famous Binaca Geet Mala for an hour. We played outside  in the evening and during summer holidays, some indoor games like  Chess, Carrom board or Cards.

Once the Television came into almost everyone’s house, hardly one wanted to play any games but to watch the TV. The kids learns watching the elders. When parents  sit in front  of the TV most of the  time, why and how would the  children lag behind?

The lady of the house may insist, “No watching TV during breakfast, lunch and dinner time.”

Who cares for her words?

The man of the house switched the TV on as soon as he sat on the dining table and the kids were happy. But which programme to be watched and when, no one bothered. So the kids too got addicted and started spending more  time in front of the TV.

Then, the mobile age cropped up. At first only the head of the family was the proud owner of the mobile. Slowly all possessed their  mobile.

This was the worst part. The mobile  became a nuisance as more importance was  given to a mobile. Chatting or talking for hours and during their eating time also, the mobile watching caught up. 

The run to an Opthamologist became more as kids eyes were  watering and paining. The expenses too grew up and tension prevailed in many homes.

The parents could not  restrict their children to watch the big screen or use of a mobile. 

All these caused a lot of mental stress to many people and had to visit a doctor for  treatment.

The doctors  found watching  the screen for a longer time and with not much of communication, the case of Autistic  kids came into light. Of course this is not the  only reason  for the development of Autism.

But many parents realized later by age 2 when the child was not showing activities according to his or her age, they ran to different doctors to find the reason. Many times more time spent on screen time and less time in communicating, caused several problems. Taking kids to therapy centres became popular. Many centres sprouted  up suddenly.

“Anything in excess, causes trouble.” This is an age old saying  but who cares?

Of course everyone needs a change. It is ok if a child is allowed to watch his favourite cartoon channel for half an hour to an hour. The elders too fix a timing to watch for a certain time.

Too much of gazing at the TV or a mobile, causes strain in the eyes ad it may lead  to watering of the eyes and running to an eye doctor.

The wearing of specs is another problem. The small children are wearing thick glasses.

The brain too gets clogged due to the long screen time and the brain does not work properly.

Why to get into all these trouble and spend money on doctors?

Make a regularized screen time for all at home and try to adhere to it , to save their eyes and money and on health. The kids and some adults too watch the mobile inside their bedsheets, which  is still dangerous.

Giving a small kid a mobile if he or she shows tantrums, is the biggest mistake a parent can do 

They get addicted and  want to watch cartoons. 

Screen time should  be fixed. Make them understand the after effects of watching the screen. Spend time and play with them. Read a story to them to keep them away  from the screen.

All said and done, due to so many reasons, now Online Classes are normal  and the child has to study via the screen as there is no other option.

Ultimately,  is too much screen time useful or harmful?

The parents should think and  decide wisely. 

I wonder where the world is moving to in the name of development?

Take care of your kids and your health.

-Poornima Sivaraman