2023-07-14 09:05:14
Many parents find that screens (smartphones, tablets, television, etc.) are a practical solution for keeping children busy during the summer holidays. But this is not without consequence on the social and cognitive development of the child. Explanations with Nisrine Zaimi, psychologist.
The harmful effects of overexposure to screens on health children no longer need to be demonstrated. Numerous studies have proven that this presents serious risks for the youngest and can affect their physical, mental and social development.
But even though many parents are aware of this reality, they find it difficult to manage their children’s exposure time to screens during summer vacation. “Children are very bored at home during the holidays. We can’t get them out all the time and we can’t afford to enroll them in activity centers. So they spend their days watching TV or to play video games on consoles or the phone. Even if we know that it is not really recommended, we have no other choice but to give in,” laments Mouad, 42, a father.
Children’s overexposure to screens can cause health problems
Contacted by us, Nisrine Zaimi, psychologue, emphasizes that the constant use of screens during the holidays can lead to many disorders. “Unfortunately, many parents underestimate the harmful effects of children’s overexposure to screens and still think it’s a good way to occupy their little ones, especially during the holidays. You should know that increased exposure to screens is the cause of severe attention disordersof languagefrom motor skills a you child behaviorwithout forgetting the impact on their physical health : obesity, physical inactivity, eye disorders…”, says the specialist.
“Some effects are felt many years later. For example, between 2 and 4 years old, a child exposed to more than 2 hours of television daily multiplies by three the probability of having a language delay and of learning disabilities at school.
Overexposure to screens also eventually affects the parent-child relationship. Numerous studies have shown that because of screens, there would be a reduction of intra-family verbal exchanges necessary for language», ajoute Nisrine Zaimi.
Tips to avoid excessive use of screens by children
To avoid the harmful effects of overexposure to screens, parents should find ways to occupy their children through other activities, although this can sometimes be difficult and requires more effort, especially when both parents are working.
“According to the tastes of each child, we must offer them to make creative or manual activities, to play board gamesof take a walk or bike rideof to cook, pastryor bricolage… The child should not feel that limiting screen time is a punishment,” explains the psychologist. And to insist that “it is also important to lead by example by limiting parent screen time and take advantage of this holiday period to introduce children to self-regulation. You must tell him the time during which he will use the screen and remind him to stop once the time is up.
Parents have, in fact, the duty to ensure the proper use of screens, because when they are used well, these tools can be great intelligence awakening aids».
Read also: Calming your child by exposing him to screens prevents him from managing his emotions
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