PUNE: As the issue of toddlers and youngsters spending long hours on the screens of smartphones, tabs and computers is a growing concern for parents, experts have stated that promoting ‘positive screen time’ could be a solution to this problem.
While it has become practically impossible to keep children away from the screens at all times, parents can very well control the time spent on these gadgets by their children, as well as the activities that they indulge in, said Lucky Surana of the Early Childhood Association (ECA).
“It is extremely necessary at the age of 0 to 6 that we must keep our children away from any kinds of screens,” Surana said.
“Eventually, there is no escape from the use of gadgets and screens. However, these are the most important years in a child’s development. Hence, parents must try and keep screens out of children’s reach,” Surana said.
However, he said it is after the children actually begin to understand the use of gadgets, that is when it is very difficult to keep them away from the screens.
“We keep saying that the children should have no or limited screen time, but we never tell them how they can do that. That is why we have begun a programme of ‘positive screen time’ to guide parents,” Surana stated.
He said, “I insist that if a child wants to use a smartphone, an iPad or a computer, instead of watching some videos, can we make them utilise that time for something productive, like learning to code or animation? Instead of playing games, if the children learn how to design those games, it would be a much more interesting activity for them. At the same time, the children would learn something new instead of wasting their time.”
The gadgets could additionally be used to improve the language and writing skills of children as well as boost their typing skills which are required in life later.
CONTROL IN HANDS OF PARENTS
Surana said that while parents keep complaining that their children do not listen to them when they ask them to keep the smartphones aside, it’s actually the parents who can establish that control over the children while handing the gadgets over to them.
“It needs to be strictly communicated to the children that they will be able to be on the screen only for a particular period of time, and not a minute more. Further, there are several apps and programmes which can be installed on computers and smartphones or tablets to set time limits. The apps shut the device completely after a set period of time, thus, ensuring that the children will not be able to use the device for a longer period,” he added.
Further, it is also important that the parents do not engage themselves on their phones while spending their free time with children.
“Children do find it hypocritical when parents ask them to put phones down, while they themselves are checking their WhatsApp or Facebook or any other social media account. While spending time with children, parents must not use the phone and instead indulge in productive interaction with the children,” Surana said.
MEDIUM OF COMMUNICATION
He also added that sometimes, children’s activities on gadgets are a means to a different end.
“Around three years ago, when my daughter was much younger, I observed that she used her screen time watching dance and gymnastics videos on YouTube. She is a very energetic child. Being an educationist myself, I tried to link her interest with her energy and enrolled her for classes of dance and gymnastics. She has loved learning to dance much more than watching videos. I think every parent must try to make such observations which could positively be turned into something productive and fun for the children,” Surana added.
