Dear MEL Topic Readers,
More screen time for toddlers is tied to poorer development a few years later, study says
How young is too young and how long is too long to stare at a screen? This correlation has been studied ever since TV became popular a half-century ago when the first man landed the Moon.
On average, most children in the U.S. spend between five and seven hours a day in front of a screen, watching TV or videos, chatting with friends, playing games, reading, or working. Does this sound too long to you? Does watching TV too long make you dumber as your parents or grandparents used to say?
A new study found that it is not untrue. The study in Canada suggests there is a directional correlation between screen time and performance on developmental screening tests among children aged between two and five years old. The longer they spend time on a screen showed poorer performance in communication, motor skills, problem-solving and personal-social skills. The researchers suggest that by limiting the time to about an hour a day would avoid affecting children’s health and wellness.
Most of you are probably well aware of the harm, just like junk food and sweets, and may feel guilty all the time. Telling children not to do what they themselves are doing makes parents feel even more guilty.
Enjoy reading and try to figure how long you spend in front of a screen while you’re awake, including the smartphone.
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