Screen Addiction: How Your Child's Digital Habits Are Impacting Their Future

Gone are the days when kids used to spend hours playing outside with their friends, indulging in physical activities like running, jumping, and playing sports. Imagine, Ice & Water or Fire & Ice, Pepsi Cola, Lat Tali Lat, One Two Jus, Tamiya, etc. Nowadays, children are more inclined towards spending their time indoors, glued to their mobile phones, laptops, and gadgets.

The increasing use of technology among children has raised concerns among Malaysian parents and educators. Studies suggest that excessive screen time can have negative effects on a child's social skills, attention span, and cognitive speech development.

Here are 5 implications of excessive screen time on children and why parents should be careful:

1. Impaired Social Skills: Screen time can impair a child's social skills by reducing their ability to interact with others. Children who spend excessive time on screens tend to have fewer opportunities to engage in face-to-face conversations, which can affect their ability to express themselves and understand social cues. Aiyooo, like that later how to talk to people?
2. Decreased Attention Span: Children who spend more time on screens tend to have a shorter attention span. This can have an impact on their ability to learn and focus on academic tasks. Walauuu, later how to study and focus in school?
3. Delayed Speech and Language Development: Excessive screen time can also delay a child's speech and language development. This is because children learn best through real-life interactions with people and their surroundings, and not through screens. Aduiii, later how to communicate properly?
4. Poor Sleep Habits: Screen time can also have an impact on a child's sleep habits. Exposure to screens before bedtime can affect the quality and quantity of sleep, leading to fatigue, irritability, and poor academic performance. Jialattt, later how to wake up early and concentrate in class?
5. Reduced Physical Activity: Children who spend more time on screens tend to engage in less physical activity, which can have negative effects on their physical health and well-being. Ayoyo, later how to stay healthy and strong?

As parents, it is important to set limits on screen time for children, especially for babies and toddlers aged 1 to 4 years old. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children aged 2 to 5 should have no more than one hour of screen time per day, while infants under 18 months should have no screen time at all.

Moreover, it is important to create a screen-free environment during meal times, as this will encourage children to develop good table manners and social skills. Makan time is for family bonding and sharing, not for scrolling phone and tablet.

In conclusion, excessive screen time can have negative implications on children's social skills, attention span, and cognitive speech development. As responsible parents, it is important to set limits on screen time and encourage children to engage in physical activities and real-life interactions with people and their surroundings. By doing so, we can help our children develop into healthy and well-rounded individuals.

Bonus: An infographic found over the internet for Suggested Screen Time