Should You Be Worried About How Much Screen Time Your Kids Have?

People spend a lot of time with their noses buried in their smartphones, laptops, and tablets. You might be forced to spend a lot of time using these devices because of your job. Of course, people use smart devices to stay in touch with loved ones and handle daily tasks as well. Too much screen time can be a problem for adults, but it has the potential to be very problematic for children.

You aren’t going to be able to keep your kids from using smartphones and computers. They’re also likely going to be using tablets at school for certain projects. Technology isn’t inherently bad, but too much screen time can still be detrimental. Should you be worried about how much screen time your kids have?

Yes, because if your kids continue to have too much screen time, it might lead to various issues. Keep reading to learn about some of the things that have been linked to kids having too much screen time. It should help you to understand the importance of limiting children’s screen time.

Sleep Issues

One of the most common problems that parents notice when kids have too much screen time will be sleep issues. The more time that kids spend watching TV, looking at tablets, or using other types of screens, the more often they will have problems getting to sleep at night. Some children have irregular sleep schedules due to having too much screen time. This can cause kids to feel less energetic than usual, and this could lead to poor academic performance as well.

Trouble Concentrating On Tasks

Children who don’t have their screen time monitored might have a hard time concentrating on tasks. For example, if your kids have access to tablets or smartphones at all times, then they might distract themselves with those devices. This could cause your child to procrastinate when they’re supposed to be doing homework. Adults deal with issues like this as well, but children often lack the maturity to know when to put the devices down and focus on the tasks that they need to finish.

Potential Obesity Issues

Studies have shown that obesity in children can be linked to having too much screen time. There are various reasons why this is the case. Children that have too much screen time might not be getting enough exercise, and they might be more likely to make poor food choices. This is something that adults have to worry about as well.

Potential Social Issues

Some children might exhibit social issues if they have too much screen time as well. There’s a chance that a child could become absorbed in interacting with technology and won’t want to put effort into socializing with others. For instance, in extreme situations, children who play video games way too much have stopped wanting to try to play with friends or do other social activities. This is another good reason why you should keep an eye on your kids and how much time they’re spending using devices, playing video games, and watching television.

What Can Be Done to Solve This Problem?

The only thing that can solve the problem of having children exposed to too much screen time is to monitor it. Screen time isn’t inherently bad and it can indeed be useful if you use it in moderation. When someone enjoys playing video games, it has the potential to be a fulfilling experience. It only becomes a bad thing when that person plays way too much

Your kids can watch television, play video games, and spend time using tablets. It’s up to you as a parent to watch your kids and ensure that they’re only doing these things in moderation. When your kids are six or older, it’s best to just encourage healthy activities and to tell them to also do other things instead of just watching TV or playing games all the time. So long as you’re being a proactive parent, your kid won’t be watching TV all night or playing video games more than they should be.

It’s good to be concerned about screen time issues. The fact that you’re paying attention to concerns such as this means that you’ll be willing to take the steps to keep your kids safe. It isn’t necessary to think of video games, tablets, and televisions as bad things. It’s not a good idea to eat cookies for every single meal of the day, and you can teach your kids that it also isn’t good to do nothing but spend time using various screens.

If you’re having a hard time managing your children, then you might feel like you need some help. BetterHelp will always be there for you to provide you with advice and support. If you’re feeling depressed or anxious, then you can talk to a qualified online therapist at any time. Family counseling options are also available for those who have significant family issues that need to be addressed.

You’re never alone when trying to handle complex problems such as this. Reach out whenever you want to, and you’ll be able to get help from the comfort of home. There are various therapy and counseling options to consider.