Excessive screen time damages not only the eyes but also these organs! How can children be protected?

Prolonged screen time impacts the eyes and other organs. Constantly sitting and watching screens reduces physical activity in children. This can lead to obesity and heart disease.

In today's digital age, children are spending more time on smartphones, tablets, laptops, and televisions. They spend hours staring at screens, either studying, gaming, or watching videos. This habit not only affects children's eyes, but also other parts of the body. So, let's explore what other organs, besides the eyes, are harmed by excessive screen time, and how you can protect your children from it. 

Excessive screen time can also damage these organs. 

Eye Impact: It's true that prolonged screen time can have serious effects on the eyes, leading to problems like digital eye strain, dry eyes, and blurred vision. Continued screen time can also contribute to serious eye problems like myopia.

Muscles and bones: When children sit for long periods of time during screen time, it can lead to neck and back pain. Lack of physical activity can also weaken their bones and prevent proper muscle development. 

Heart and Obesity: Prolonged screen time impacts the eyes as well as other parts of the body. Experts say that sitting and watching screens continuously reduces children's physical activity, leading to obesity, heart disease, and fitness issues. In fact, daily physical activity is essential for children's heart health.  

Sleep impact: Prolonged screen time before bed can also impact the quality of sleep. Lack of adequate sleep can leave children tired, irritable, and weak throughout the day.

Mental Health:  Spending too much time on social media and gaming often causes children to feel stressed and emotionally overwhelmed. Viewing online content can lead to comparing oneself to others, and constantly checking notifications can also be detrimental to mental health. 

How to reduce children's screen time?

Family parties: To reduce children's screen time, host a family party at home once a week. Include different activities for the children at the party, which will keep them physically active and reduce their screen time. 

Outdoor Scavenger Hunt:  To reduce children's screen time, have them play outdoor scavenger hunts around the house or in the park. This will encourage children to focus more on physical activity rather than running around, and screen time will automatically decrease. 

Outdoor Games: To increase children's physical activity and reduce screen time, focus on making them play outdoor games like badminton, frisbee, and cricket. 

Gardening: Experts consider gardening a good option for reducing children's screen time. Involve your children in caring for plants. Watering plants, playing in the soil, and doing some light work will serve as exercise for them.

The 20-20-20 Rule: To protect children's eyes from screen time, establish a 20-20-20 rule. This rule requires that after 20 minutes of screen time, they look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Adults and children can follow this rule as well. 

Brightness and blue light filter: If children or adults are using laptops or phones in the room, adjust the brightness of the phone or laptop based on the room's lighting. Or use a blue light filter or night mode.