As a parent, ask yourself how much daily media time you should allow, and the consequences of too much media.
Here are a few things to consider:
1) Your child may be spending far more media time than you realize. Many parents don’t realize how much time their children spend texting, on the computer, playing video games and watching TV until they actually do the math. According to recent polls done in schools, young people now spend an average of seven hours and 38 minutes per day using media of some variety. This is more than a full-time job when you count weekends. That’s a lot of time. So, how does your child compare to the average? How often are they on the computer, in front of the television, playing a video game, texting or doing something else media related?
2) Consider the risks of too much daily media time. While everyone reacts differently to exposure to media, too much daily media time can be dangerous. It can lead to inactivity, which in turn may lead to health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure or diabetes. There are many studies and statistics which warn parents about the adverse effects of too much media time. For example, kids who watch at least four hours of television are more likely to smoke than kids who watch under 2 hours. In addition, kids who watch a lot of television or spend a great deal of time in front of a computer playing video games or texting their friends are more likely to get fat because they eat more junk food and move far less.
3) Consider the way media affects your child’s development. When children are exposed to television at too young an age, the cognitive skills that develop when they entertain themselves and start learning and exploring may fail to develop properly.
4) While the internet can be a great resource for kids, it can also be a good tool for cheating, as it enables them to look up answers to questions, instead of learning the material. Is too much exposure to assorted media hurting your child’s education?
Looking at these potential issues, here are the recommendations:
1) If your child is under 2, limiting their media time is a good idea. Babies and toddlers need a chance to develop their minds and social skills without media interference. Too much, too early can lead to inability to concentrate, among other problems.
2) If your Child is over the age of 2, it’s best to limit television or computer to no more than 2 or 3 hours per day, including homework time. This is what the experts recommend, regardless of the reason for the use.