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Children and screen time

Children and screen time

 

Screens are an integral part of our lives and those of our children. There are on average 5 screens of all types in each French household. With the rise of tablets, televisions that are constantly on, or smartphones, we are exposing children, even very young ones, to more screen time than they need for their well-being and often without realizing it.

What are the effects of screens on young children?

The CSA strongly recommends banning screens for all children before the age of 3. The brain of a child of this age not being mature enough to support this kind of stimulation, it stops as if it were under hypnosis. In addition, the blue light of thescreens is very harmful for the eyes of children who are particularly fragile at this age.

As you can see, exposure to screens for children under 3 years old is dangerous for their health, both mental and physical. Too much exposure to screens is associated with lower motor skills and cognitive abilities, poor social skills and attention difficulties.

But then how do you determine the right amount of screen time for your child?

The way to calculate the correct amount of screen time for a child is quite simple: one hour of screen time per year of the child's age and per week. A 4 year old is therefore limited to 4 hours of screen time per week for example.

In fact, children spend more than twice as much time on screens, between the tablets, smartphones and televisions we all have at home. The duty of parents is therefore to protect children from the harmful effects of screens.

What are the best practices to adopt when it comes to screens?

First of all, set an example : try to reduce your own screen time in the presence of your children. During early childhood, a toddler will spend a lot of time observing his parents and imitating them. If they set an example, he will inevitably be less tempted by screens.

Finally, always favour physical activities over screens. Between the ages of 1 and 4, children should move around at least 2.5 hours a day to ensure the proper development of their physical and motor skills. Playing outside is beneficial to a child's physical andmental health. They need this time to let off steam.

Then, turn them off at least one hour before going to bed. This is an opportunity to share a special moment with the child, whatever his age. Favour reading the evening story or a return to calm with a game. Not only will parents participate in the development of the child's cognitive faculties by reading to him or her, but parents and children will also spend a complicit moment together.

Outdoor games also allow forlearning while having fun. Through observation and play, they will deepen their knowledge of the world around them. Brands have understood this and are increasingly committed to getting children moving!

Source: CSA study - November 2018 "Observatory of audiovisual equipment in French households in metropolitan France"

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