Screen Time: Why It’s Time to Unplug Your Kids

As a mother, it’s natural to want to give your child everything they need to succeed and thrive in life. However, in today’s digital age, many parents are turning to cellphones and tablets as a way to entertain and occupy their young children. The culture of giving young children cellphones and tablets can actually be damaging in a number of ways.

One of the main reasons this is damaging is because it can interfere with their physical and cognitive development. Young children need plenty of opportunities for physical activity, exploration, and play in order to develop strong muscles, coordination, and sensory processing skills. When children spend too much time on screens, they may miss out on these important experiences and may not develop these skills as effectively.

In addition, the constant stimulation and instant gratification provided by cellphones and tablets can be damaging to a child’s cognitive development. Young children need plenty of opportunities to engage in creative play, imagination, and problem-solving in order to develop important cognitive skills like attention, memory, and executive function. When children spend too much time on screens, they may become overstimulated and may struggle to engage in these important cognitive processes.

Another reason why the culture of giving young children cellphones and tablets is damaging is because it can interfere with their social and emotional development. Children learn important social and emotional skills by interacting with the people and world around them. This includes things like making eye contact, interpreting facial expressions, and learning to read social cues. When children spend too much time on screens, they miss out on these important social interactions and may struggle with social and emotional skills later on.

Finally, giving young children cellphones and tablets can be damaging to their mental health. Too much screen time has been linked to a variety of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and ADHD. Children who spend too much time on screens may struggle with regulating their emotions, processing information, and developing healthy coping mechanisms.

In conclusion, the culture of giving young children cellphones and tablets can be damaging in a number of ways. While these devices can be useful in some situations, it’s important to limit their use and provide plenty of opportunities for physical activity, creative play, and social interaction. By doing so, you can help your child develop into a happy, healthy, and well-adjusted individual.