Before this health emergency appeared due to Covidien-19, pediatricians and psychologists already recommended making good use of screens (mobiles, tablets, computers, consoles, etc ...) in children and adolescents . There was concern in some parents about the excess time they spent in front of them and now everything has worsened from home confinement, reduced mobility and teleworking of parents.
Screens are very valuable tools that allow us to work, manage, study and interact, but they are also very addictive. Its misuse can have consequences for health in the psychological field such as isolation, irritability, aggressiveness, depression, or impulsivity; and physically visual problems, obesity and sleep impairment.
Young children have stopped playing because a screen maintains a brain excitement that normal play cannot produce, symbolic play, for example, becomes boring and is very important for their development.
And what can we do?
In boys and girls:
* Before the age of 3, the use of screens is not recommended.
* Know what games or platforms they connect to and if they are appropriate for their age.
* Do not make meals with the devices.
* One hour before going to sleep disconnect them.
* Be consistent, if we want to teach good use, parents must be disconnected in moments of family interaction.
* Offer to play other things with them and do family outings.
* Share and accompany them with the applications, games and networks that have fun, read an online story or watch a documentary.
* Limit its use in time, only an hour and a half a day maximum.
* Install parental control mechanisms
In adolescents:
* Know where they are connected.
* Limit its use during the day and night. Agree with them the connection hours. You can disconnect the wifi if they are not responsible for its use.
* During the night the appliances are disconnected and out of the rooms.
* Agree on the domestic responsibilities that they must carry out during the day.
* Make meals together, not alone or alone in your room.
* Carry out family activities (larger ones can be denied but it is good to offer).
Ultimately, it is very important to educate on its proper use because it prevents physical and mental health. Adults have a lot of responsibility regarding the acquisition of the responsible use of screens in our sons and daughters.
Asum García Sánchez
Clinical psychologist, collegiate 8,277