Harms of Children's Tablet and Phone Use: Points to Consider
- November 13, 2024
With the developing technology, the use of phones and tablets for children is becoming increasingly common. However, excessive use of these devices can have significant negative effects on children's physical and psychological health. First, phone addiction can cause children to experience distraction.
What Happens to a Child Who Plays on the Phone Too Much?
Children who are constantly busy with screens may have difficulty focusing on their lessons and other activities. This can directly affect their academic success.
In addition, excessive phone use can also lead to social isolation. Children may neglect their real-world social relationships as they spend more time in the virtual environment. The time they spend in front of a screen instead of interacting with their friends face-to-face can hinder the development of their social skills. This can have negative effects on their future social lives.
Another important point to consider is the disruption of sleep patterns. Children who are exposed to screens until late at night may have difficulty falling asleep, which causes them to wake up the next day with a tired mood. Children who have not had enough rest have more difficulty concentrating, which negatively affects their learning process.
In addition, the absence of physical activity can pose long-term risks to children's health. Health problems such as weight gain and obesity occur as a result of a sedentary lifestyle. As a result, the various problems that excessive phone play creates in children are important issues to consider. In order to protect children from these negative effects, balanced technology use should be encouraged.
What Harm Does the Phone Have on Children?
Nowadays, children's phone and tablet use has become quite common. However, excessive and uncontrolled use of these devices can negatively affect children's health. Serious problems can occur, especially on eye health. Prolonged exposure to phone screens can trigger problems such as dryness, blurring, and even vision disorders. Children's sensitive eye structures are more vulnerable to high blue light emission. This can increase eye fatigue and have a negative impact on children's daily lives.
Another issue is that children are exposed to radio frequencies at an early age. Smartphones constantly emit high-frequency waves. Although research on the long-term effects of this is still ongoing, it is thought that children's exposure to such radio frequencies may have negative effects on cellular development. Children's brain structures and development processes are different from adults, so the effects of these frequencies should also be taken seriously.
In addition, smartphone use can also trigger psychological disorders in children. Constant exposure to screens can reduce social interaction and increase feelings of loneliness. Children's ability to concentrate can also be weakened by prolonged screen exposure. This can lead to learning difficulties and negatively affect their academic success. Therefore, it is of great importance for parents to be careful and aware of their children's phone use. The negative effects of prolonged screen exposure on children should be carefully evaluated.
Is It Harmful to Look at Tablets Too Much?
Nowadays, tablet use is becoming increasingly common among children. However, excessive use of tablets can create various risks and health problems. Parents should be careful about children's tablet use and set certain rules and durations. In particular, limiting the time children spend in front of the tablet is a critical necessity for their long-term physical and mental health.
When using tablets, it is very important for children to be able to distinguish content. The quality and reliability of information and entertainment content found on the internet vary. Therefore, it is recommended that children be guided by content that is limited and controllable. Parents can make tablet use more beneficial by choosing educational materials that appeal to the appropriate age group for their children. In addition, staying away from distracting games and applications will increase children's focus time.
In addition, attention should be paid to the effects of tablet use on physical health. Long-term exposure to screens can have negative effects on eye health. In order for children to avoid problems such as eye fatigue and headaches, it is important to balance the hours they spend in front of the screen with regular rest periods. In addition, when using the tablet, attention should be paid to the sitting position and they should be encouraged to use it in the correct ergonomic manner.
In conclusion, careful use of tablets and setting certain limits will be beneficial for both the physical and mental health of children. It is essential for parents to consciously manage their children’s tablet use to make the experience more effective and safe for education.
How Many Hours a Day Should a Child Play Tablet?
The time children spend on digital devices has a significant impact on their physical and mental health. Experts have determined maximum screen time for children according to their age group. For example, screen time limits are not recommended for children under 2 years old; face-to-face communication is more critical for children in this age group to develop their social interactions. For children between the ages of 2 and 5, a maximum of 1 hour of screen time per day is recommended. This time should be encouraged to watch quality content.
For children aged 6 and above, screen time becomes a bit more flexible. However, various health experts state that no more than 1.5-2 hours of screen time should be exceeded per day for this age group. This is important in terms of supporting both physical activities and social interactions. Otherwise, excessive screen use can lead to problems such as obesity and inattention.
In addition to the amount of time children spend on screens, the types of content they consume are also of great importance. It is recommended that parents monitor the content their children watch and encourage active participation by spending time with them. In this context, limiting screen time and choosing quality content allows children to establish a balanced relationship with the environment they live in throughout the day.
In conclusion, a balanced approach to tablet and phone use plays an important role in children’s development. Parents can accustom their children to a healthy digital world by determining appropriate screen time.
