The time children spend in front of the television or other electronic devices is often controversial. For children, watching TV or playing with the tablet or game console is a lot of fun. But it is also true that on many occasions the time they make use of these devices is excessive.
For many mothers and fathers overwhelmed by parenting, work and household chores, the TV or other electronic devices are a lifesaver that allows them to have their children entertained for a good time. But, How long can our children be in front of these devices without it being harmful?
According to the Pediatric Associations of different countries, children under two years of age should not watch any television. From this age, the maximum time of exposure to any electronic device should not exceed two hours.
Why should you control your children's television time?
The prolonged exposure of children to television or other types of screens can cause various disorders:
- In children under two years of age, television makes psychomotor development is not favored, due to the sedentary lifestyle that it implies.
- Attention deficit and poor school performance. Electronic devices emit visual stimuli at high speed and a huge variety of stimuli in very short times. This is associated with drops in levels of attention and in school performance.
- Decrease physical activity favoring sedentary lifestyle, obesity and other disorders derived from lack of exercise.
- Spending many hours in front of the television is associated with increased anxiety and depressive states. Comparing the fictional reality offered by TV with one's own can trigger states of frustration.
- A child who spends many hours in front of the television without supervision, will take as referring to the characters that appear in it instead of their parents.
- TV or other screens favor social isolation, preventing the establishment of affective ties with family and friends.
- The time your children spend watching TV will subtract other activities, such as reading or playing, that are important for their physical and emotional development.
- Watch much TV favors sleep disorders, insomnia and bad habits at bedtime.
By this I do not mean that you should not let your children watch TV. More than prohibiting you have to limit exposure time and ensure that the content is appropriate for the age of the children. The key, as in everything, is in balance.