DO YOU THINK SCREEN TIME FOR LITTLE ONES IS A BOON OR A CURSE?
The rigmarole, of why a television set is called an idiot box, has been going on for ages. Some say it is because excessive watching changes our personalities, affects relationships, causes noise pollution, reduces physical interaction with people, while some also say that researchers have proved the deterioration in health and performance in children who are addicted to screen time. I was surprised that bad eyesight wasn’t one of the disadvantages because that is what we have been told since we were little. Because of these reasons, instead of making use of the parental settings, we find it easier to completely avoid giving access to the kids.
And, now we also have our smart phones which have replaced gaming devices, computers, radios or music players, personal organizers, cameras, navigation devices, telephones, clocks, flashlights, books and also the televisions themselves. There are a lot more that you can do with your smartphones and therefore it is called the true-all-in-one gadget. So, we have passwords to avoid the kids from accessing it because many of us feel that device time is a total no-no.
But, personally, I feel that screen time can be both; a boon and a curse, in many ways. Of course, all the curses are mentioned above, then, what are the boons? Are there any? Can you think of some? I’m probably writing what some of you may also believe in but for those who feel that screen time is a strict no-no, maybe you could give it a second thought.
As all of us are aware, to accommodate the rising population and increase of nuclear families, a number of structures have resulted in the cutting down of trees, demolishing of illegal roadside stores and destruction of huge grounds that were once used by us, and the previous generations, to play. There are limited outdoor activities available to kids compared to hours during the day, especially on holidays. So, probably an hour a day is a good amount of time to keep them busy with a kid-friendly movie.
Young minds absorb a lot and there are many features that they learn about before us. When I initially began using the smartphone, I did not make use of half the features that were in it. We slowly learnt how easy our lives could get when you downloaded applications and for example, opened a fixed deposit without having to do the tedious job of visiting the bank itself. Teenagers of today, know the different applications used or can be taught how to save money with just a click of a button. Many of them are aware of how to contact whom in case of an emergency. Basically, a smartphone helps them to easily connect with the outside world and be aware of the latest technologies.
While there are many hopeless cartoons today, there are plenty of cartoons that you can allow the little ones to watch and be occupied with. Channel Baby TV cartoons had some good stuff that sometimes put my baby to sleep. Channel Disney Junior has some cartoons that help the kids to understand how to solve a problem. Channel Nick Junior has cartoons like Dora the Explorer and Diego who are independent kids who find their way around and help others. I have found my kids, who are totally engrossed in the cartoon actually responding to their questions on what to use or which path to take. I totally loved the engagement with the kids.
Honestly speaking, my daughter learnt her alphabets, numbers and colours from videos on YouTube. I would read to her every night but I was happily surprised when she sang the alphabet song and counted her Jenga bricks with her cute little baby accent. She would also correct me when I pronounced the alphabet Z as ‘Zed’ instead of ‘Zee’. Oh, not to forget, she learnt numbers in Spanish from Dora the Explorer.
There are plenty of games online but the ones that my husband and I, as parents, allow the kids to play are the math games, word games and strategic games. Pictionary is a game that my daughter had learnt because I played it often. So, I guess if we introduce them to such games and show them how excited we, ourselves, get while playing them, they should follow in our footsteps, at least during their younger years.
Having said all this, the above can only be a boon if a careful watch is kept on the duration of their screen time. Also, instead of completely avoiding the screen time, I think it is necessary to discipline and teach our kids how to have a restricted period for screen time. What say you?
Do you have any restrictions on your kids’ screen time?
48 Comments
Lovely post. I agree it will affect them the way we let them use it and limit them. My daughter has learnt a lot from the screen time she gets but yes an overdose also has its repercussions.
Rightly said Cindy. Whether it is a boon or a curse entirely depends upon the limits we set. Lovely write up.
Social media has turned out to be a blessing during the lockdown , specially for kids. My 2.5 years son has learned several poems and many basic things already watching videos on internet, it’s just that we need to set a time limit on to it and that is true for everything in the world
I have been using a lot of games, videos for my son lately. I gave to admit the learning is faster and very easy for kids using screen time. The one thing to worry is about how much time. I still haven’t succeeded to limit it to an hour but hoping it will become better soon.
I’m mostly bothered about ruining their eyesight… I hate wearing glasses so trying to keep them off needing them.
The screen time can definetly cannot be avoided but yes could be used effectively for kids. This has become the most important parenting challenge these days that how to keep the young ones away from gadgets.
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Yes managing screen Time is a big challenge for parents nowadays but as you said when we use it wisely for educational purpose, then it became a boon and good way to keep our kids entertain in meaningful way. Loved your write up.
Even I was thinking about this. I have a neighborhood kid who is gadgets freak and all the time uses his mom’s phone. It’s up to us how to use this. It’s good kids can learn a lot but there should be a selective time duration for phone. Your post was quite awesome Cindy. Loved it.
Avoiding screen time in this technology driven world is redundant and simply unavoidable. You have rightly pointed out the boons of screen time , highlighting that a restrictive interaction could be helpful. Nicely penned!
With online school and no outside playing due to Covid-19 has increased the Screen time.
We try to keep that limited too. 2 hours a day maximum unless I’m sleeping or out of the house as the men in the house prefer when the kids are watching TV and not troubling them.
Restricting screen time is practically not possible unless we have someone to entertain and engage our kids throughout the day. But when you have to manage everything alone, it is better to accept the reality and given them some screen time. Everything in moderation is never bad. Today, we have some really good educational cartoon shows and there is no hard in letting kids watch that. If they can see how Ice cream is made from an educational video or how chocolates are made then I would say its a good information.
I believe that too therefore I restrict their screen time when I’m with them.
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I do give screen tme to my kids too as I feel kids should hve sme entertainment too n they learn a lot from it too..
Absolutely, if screen time is given for limited time with monitoring then it’s always a boon to children.
Excess of anything is always bad. So when we see at the gadgets very informative and educating for kid’s, they equally harmful for their eyes and this usage must be minimized.
I agree with you limitless screen time is really good so that we mom can take some me time. Love ur blog and wrote so well
I too find it curse and boon as it stops them to explore the outdoor activity, so I feel there should be some fixed time for it. A well written nice post
I too have a mixed feeling here. I find it both boon and curse. Curse obviously for limited exposure to nature, outdoors and real people while boon because it keeps kids occupied nad helps learning . I find it addicting too. Nowadays i am trying to get my little one away from screen as much as possible
Living in the modern world, we cannot possibly block all access to screens for little ones! This was good thought-provoking post.
Very well written. I agree that anything done with discipline is best. Screen time has a lot of benefits! Great thoughts .
I agree, screen time can be a boon and even a curse if the watch is not set. Kids need to realise that the world is outside the screen and thus the screen time should be very limited.
I think screen time is also important but it should be limited. Screens do help to learn new things and educate us. But obviously should be in limit
I totally agree with you ..it’s really a very well written article..Screen time can also be a boon
I feel it’s curse , we have made phone to connect but we are disconnected with close ones. Screen time you dont release person is wait so long to be together ,not with phone. Emotional connectivity is 0 with it
Great post.
I my opinion a litte screen time is required in order to prepare the toddler for futurist gadgets.
Also the hearing and visual learnings has great impact on children’s mind.
Great post. I believe Limited screen time is required. We moms need a break too. Especially when u r out of ideas to engage them. Or when we are out for a meal. I mean i deserve to have atleast one peaceful meal.
I swear! One meal in peace! Tell me about it!
Very well written. I agree that anything done with discipline is okay. A bit of screentime in a day works for us mamas too as we get a little breather for ourselves.
Thanks Kavitha. Totally agree!
I really dont know what i would do without screen time. I totally agree to your post. If a strict watch is kept on the content being watched then its definetly a boon.
Haha true! Like our work is all on screen! Cannot deny that! Hahaha!
You spoke my mind. Screen time has a lot of benefits! All we do is scream about disadvantages but is it really good to completely block screen time? Nope!!! Absolutely agree with your point of view.
Thanks Prisha. Great minds think alike!
[…] Screen time: I agree that watching the ‘idiot box’ for a long time is not good for the eyes but now-a-days there are loads of educative cartoons on it. Dora the Explorer has taught my child Spanish numbers and ideas on how to follow a path. Baby TV has educated my children in a number of ways, so, limited device time has proven to be beneficial to us. Read more here. […]
Very true cindy.. If its in moderation, its not as bad.. I think its not wise to completely cut them off these gadgets
Thanks Shreya!
Agree with you Cindy. Screen time can also be a boon if controlled. I have written this post on similar topic earlier
https://www.fantasticfeathers.in/2018/09/how-tv-time-can-help-in-learning-for.html?m=1
Hey good to know we both think on similar lines. Thanks for reading!
I totally agree screentime albeit limited should be provided to the kids as in todays day and age exposure to technology is also very important for the kids. Loved reading this.
Thanks Romila!
Cindy a brilliantly written article. Personally, I too feel that we cannot completely eliminate screen time from our children’s lives as they have become a necessity these days. But, yrs control can be exercised on the screen time. 😊
Yeah! Devices have always been exciting … I remember the time when we first began using the computer.. I was hooked… so cannot blame the kids of today! Thanks so much for reading!
I think this is one of the questions I ask myself on a daily basis and I agree to a lot of things you said here. Your point 1, so true! I also believe that the limited outdoor fun is also because its not safe anymore. You can’t just send your child while you finish your chores (something which we did as children, by the time we were done playing our moms had finished cooking dinner), we NEED to accompany the child (cant even trust helps for that), and your points 3 & 4, I swear its the same with my son, he says all the words, alphabets and numbers as he learned in an accent of sorts and yes he too never says “Zed”, it is “Zee”.
I know of times when to have some sane time to myself I have just switched on the TV, but at the same time I believe strictly in restricting it to the minimum I can in a day. Nicely Done Cindy!!
Thanks Anoushka. Glad you agree with me! Will read your blog soon! Cheers!