Children experienced a tumultuous 2020 when the pandemic threw academics off course and plugged their eyes into screens in attempts to save the school year.
We previously reported on the dangers online that could hold serious implications to any child – no matter what sterling character they’re perceived to hold by mom and dad.
Accordingly, expert opinions were gathered.
Striking a balance: screen time effects
Dr Fransli Buckle, Kempton Panorama School’s occupational therapist, agreed that lockdown increased the frequency and duration of screen time habits in most children and adults due to various factors.
“The most prevalent impact of overexposure to digital devices is addiction. The brain releases dopamine and that has a negative impact on impulse control,” Buckle said.
“Furthermore, prolonged usage of digital devices can also impact the melatonin in the brain, which has an adverse effect on sleeping patterns which result in tired children, thus affecting their educational occupations and general development.”
For Buckle, prolonged engagement in online games and activities on cellphones, tablets or computers encourage a passive lifestyle.
“Children are less active and therefore become unfit and increase the risk of health related problems such as obesity.”
Healthy versus unhealthy screen time
She believes parents should be dynamically involved in the activities of their children.
“The best way to find a balance is to incorporate a daily routine or rituals. A programme over weekends could embrace a family walk in the morning, screen time in the afternoon, board games in the evening followed by a bedtime story at night.
“It is important to look at the interests of your child and distract them by using things they enjoy, such as arts, crafts, baking or outdoor games.”
Parental involvement is not always possible due to work and busy schedules; therefore, online applications facilitating screen time can be a useful tool.
“Some online tools act on the device by ceasing function once the screen time limit or scheduled lock occurred. This application will therefore also assist in establishing routines related to school work and sleep times.”
Tips for screen time for different ages
Buckle elaborates that the best way to explain dedicated screen time for children is by using the metaphor of a healthy diet.
“Children know they need a balanced diet in order to stay healthy. They need to eat the right amount of fruit, vegetables, meat and carbohydrates. The same principle applies to screen time.”
• Infants up to 18 months of age screen use should be limited to video chatting under the guidance of an adult.
• Between 18 and 24 months, screen time should be limited to watching educational programming with a caregiver.
• For children two to five years old, limit non-educational screen time to about one hour per weekday and three hours on weekend days.
• For ages six and older, encourage healthy habits and limit activities that include screens.
• Turn off all screens during family meals and outings.
• Learn about and use parental controls.
• Avoid using screens as pacifiers, babysitters or to stop tantrums.
• Turn off screens and remove them from bedrooms 30-60 minutes before bedtime.
Identifying your child suffering online distress
A child protection and development specialist and advocacy manager for Women and Men against Child Abuse, Luke Lamprecht, talked about Covid-19 peeks in online activity and underlying threats that affected children nationwide.
As an expert in this field for 28 years, he suggested that in order to identify your child being distressed by online activity, you have to familiarise yourself with their behavioural patterns.
“If you are engaged with your child regularly, you will notice a change in behaviour. They might go from being quite carefree and relaxed to growing all the more quiet or aggressive by snapping at you.”
He acknowledged, however, that this might seem like normal behaviour for a teenager as opposed to younger children.
If there is a shift in behaviour, Lamprecht’s advice is to assist them by giving them the vocabulary to portray any potential distress.
“You can coax more openness by telling them you notice a change and you’re concerned about something potentially troubling them.
“It’s important not to focus on what could be wrong with the child themselves, but rather as to what has happened to them.”
Another distressing signal to be weary of is when children become very secretive of their phones.
When to grant privacy and phone freedom
“While your child is still considered a minor, there shouldn’t be granted privacy for their phones. Just like one would gear-up your home security against dangers, you have to gear your child with protection on their devices which have access to other worldly dangers.”
Lamprecht’s philosophy is to not give children a phone as a gift, but as a contract of agreement to teach them responsible use.
“As a parent signs a contract with a cellphone company, your child has to have a contract with you as to how they’re allowed to utilise it. Establish the boundaries upfront instead of having to confiscate their devices when something went horribly wrong.”
Children ought to be educated on the appropriate and desired uses of their devices, as Lamprecht believes if a child’s device is merely taken away – they would be none the wiser without established guidelines on responsible online interaction.
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