Today’s generation is growing up with tablets, smartphones, and computers. For them, life without electronic gadgets and the internet is now considered a little difficult. Okay, impossible.

Although digital devices are integral to educational content, including endless entertainment, do you know how unlimited screen time can be detrimental to children and your family?

A new study has revealed that lifestyle changes and spending too much time on screen during the Covid-19 pandemic could potentially affect children’s eyesight. Analyzing children between the ages of six and eight in Hong Kong, the researchers found a possible increase in cases of myopia during the pandemic. Researchers also noticed a correlation between an increase in the screen time of these children and a significant reduction in the time to play and jump outside.

One of the first things parents need to know about advanced technology is how to limit children’s screen time.

The kids were grouped into two groups for the analysis published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology. One group included children at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, while the other group was part of a separate study before the advent of coronavirus.

Researchers studying the vision and behavior of 1,793 children during the epidemic found that 19% of children suffered from myopia during the health crisis after the follow-up period. On the other hand, when compared to the group of children before the epidemic, it was found that the rate in this group was 13 per cent.

By the researchers, “The problematic conclusion in our statement is that during the coronavirus, there were essential modifications in kids’ living style, 68% of youngsters having decreased outdoor time and 2.8 times boosting their screen time.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has suggested that parents set a reasonable limit on entertainment media, but despite these recommendations, a study by the Henry J. Caesar Family Foundation found those children between the ages of 8 and 18 average seven-and-a-half hours a day being spent on entertainment media, while adults spend 11 hours a day with a screen. So, first of all, it is important to know how screen timing is hurting you.

More than 2 hours of screen time for early school-age children increases the chances of developing emotional and social problems and difficulty concentrating. The presence of television in the bedrooms of early school age children can also have a detrimental effect on academic performance. Parents can set average phone use limit with parental control app features.

Moreover, watching too much TV or playing video games on mobile phones can lead to obesity, while screen time before bedtime can also cause problems such as sleep disturbances. The light radiated from the screens can interrupt sleep and cause insomnia.

According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, what children watch on TV (violent TV shows, music and video games) can eventually be imitated.

One-third of children surveyed by AVG in 2015 considered themselves insignificant because their parents were busy with their smartphones while eating and playing. As a parent, checking your cell phone frequently while caring for your child can also affect their mental and physical development.

According to a 2016 survey, parents’ attention to digital devices is likely to increase children’s mental health problems.

Television, movies, video games and the internet can also have a positive effect on your child, but only when the screen-time is monitored. One way of doing that is through hidden screen recorder app.

This way you would know the children’s screen time and any harmful activities they are indulging on. To protect your child, you should engage with them and suggest guidelines on how to manage their screen time.

Children should watch, or partake in, high quality content on the screen, such as playing games that stimulate the brain, like puzzle games or those that take creativity or intelligence to the next level.

The use of screens teaches your child something different from traditional games. For example any gardening game will make your child interested in how to grow flowers and plants in real life.

Using the screen in different ways can give the child new skills. For example, flying simulations can instill in a child’s brain the desire to become a pilot.

Children must be advised to turn off video games when they are sitting with someone, even while watching TV. They should also not be allowed to use digital devices on weekends when family members are present. Parents should avoid screens in bedrooms and occasional digital detox throughout the week can be effective.

Make sure you are screen free at least one night a week or a month. And as the head of the house, make sure there are screen recorder apps at your disposal for the security and betterment of your family. For, establishing these rules and regulations can have a positive effect on everyone’s physical and emotional health.