Screen time and its effects on my kids
- Keishia Dennis-Southward
- Jul 26, 2022
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 14, 2022
Ok, I need to get this out I made a promise and I am a woman of my word. I should be sleeping but of course, like most things, that's not going how I plan. As I stated I was contacted the other day by Roberto Ramos who is a representative of a site called MyVision. Asking if I would share their Screen time guide. I wanted to research the information they provided because I don't want to share any information without doing my due diligence. After reading their guide it got me thinking about my children and the amount of time they spend on their electronics. I had already been thinking about it but I mostly just put those concerns to the side.
This generation is more reliant on technology than the one I was raised in. I didn't get my first cell phone until I was 18 years old and didn't do anything close to what phones do now. I find it hard to limit the kid's screen time because I spend a good portion of my day on my electronics as well so how can I take theirs away but not make changes in my own life? The first thing that I researched was the effect of screen time on physical and mental health. Since having my son last year my mental health has been the lowest it's ever been and I've also been wanting to lose weight for months with no success. I was putting most of that blame on hormones. I normally would have dropped all my pregnancy weight within a year, but being older I figured this was my new normal. I never took into account that too much screen time can cause problems with not only your weight because you're spending more time sitting but also your eyesight. Prolonged exposure can lead to overuse of the eye and if there is a glare that strains it even further.
I have been having more trouble driving at night which I again just attributed to age. I'm not saying that is my whole problem because I have always had eye problems but I do now consider screen time to be a contributing factor. Both of my older 2 children have been told they need glasses. My youngest isn't into electronics like the others, but if I don't make some changes he will be. I have tried to make some healthier choices for my 4 yr old by getting her a Leap Pad to still make it fun while she is learning.
25 July 2022 20:45
I sat down to write this last night but didn't finish because I fell asleep. I had a long day at work and I have to be back early in the morning. From everything I read limiting screen time is a no-brainer. I understand that everyone is different and what works for one doesn't always work for everyone else. I just don't see any negatives it has been proven many times that getting up and getting active I wanted to go into more detail but the resources speak for themselves. I'm hoping that when my training is over I will be able to come back to this topic. I know that after this I will be setting some boundaries for not only kids but also myself. Such as more time doing outdoor activities, more quality time together, and way less time spent on our electronics. Don't forget to check out the resources below if you want to know more about the effects of screen time on children.
Unapologetically,
K
AMERICAN ACADEMY OF CHILD&ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRY
MAYO CLINIC HEALTH SYSTEM
American Academy of Pediatrics
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