Children are definitely spending more time in front of screens than ever before and parents don’t seem to be too concerned about it. Take a look at how the TV is shaping our kids.
Nowadays, screens are pretty much everywhere. From school to work and even the bathroom, TVs, cellphones, and tablets are ubiquitous. How is this affecting our children?
Studies have shown a correlation between screen time and metabolic syndrome in teens, among all demographic groups. In fact, screen time has also been linked with low communication abilities. A 2013 study found that preschool-aged children who spent more time in front of a screen had increased odds of lower communication scores.
In 2017, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended that children under two years of age shouldn’t be exposed to screens at all. This covers not only actual screen time for the babies but also while feeding or as background noise. This correlates with small children’s need for eye contact, physical touch and emotional engagement. If a mother is busy scrolling through Instagram while breastfeeding, her kid is missing out on some key bonding moments that have a key role in physical and mental development. Even as background noise, TV can be harmful to kids this age. The lights and sounds have actually been shown to have a negative impact on blood pressure in young kids.