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The Effects of Screen Time for Children

Beth

The Effects of Screen Time for Children

Technological developments and easy access to the internet increase children’s exposure to the internet and information present on other technological gadgets. This exposure includes the media, technology, and screen time the children are exposed to (Sharkins, Newton, Albaiz, and Ernest, 2015). The children’s exposure and use of the internet and other technology sometimes go unsupervised; hence, the information the children are exposed to is not filtered. Subsequently, this exposure influences the children in various ways. It influences their psychology, and physical and social behavior (Lissak, 2018). Accordingly, screen time from gadgets such as mobile phones, television, smartphones, and computers affects children negatively and positively. Supervision should be mandated to restrict screen time exposure to children to prevent the negative effects from dominating the children’s lives. Subsequently, screen time for children should be limited to prevent the development of health issues such as obesity and social challenges such as trouble interacting; however, limitations will also allow the children to obtain early skills such as literacy abilities and technological understanding (Domingues-Montanari, 2017).

Limited screen time for children will help reduce the development of health issues. Unlimited screen time leads to the interference of children’s activeness (Domingues-Montanari, 2017). With unlimited screen time, children will turn to passive activities and games that limit their movement, affecting their locomotive skills. Change from active games to passive games influences physical health hence causing deterioration in the health of the children. This deterioration leads to health complications such as obesity. According to Domingues-Montanari (2017), obesity was proven present in children with more than two hours of screen time, with a thirteen percent risk factor of obesity in children with at least an hour of television exposure. Additionally, the association between television screen time and obesity is attributed to a diet that consists of carbohydrates and a high-sugar diet. According to Domingues – Montanari 2017, “Interestingly, food choice did not appear to be mediated by taste preference, perhaps by passive over-consumption.” Therefore, passive behavior influenced by passive games and activities associated with screen time causes an elevated appetite; this appetite causes weight gain and leads to obesity. Additionally, other health-related issues include cardiovascular problems from obesity, cholesterol, and hypertension (Lissak, 2018).

Also, limited screen time will result in the reduction of health problems associated with lack of sleep. Unlimited screen time gives children the opportunity to be on screens past their bedtime. Accordingly, sleep time is influenced by screen time; hence an increase in screen time leads to a decrease in sleep time. Sleep is essential for neurological development; hence the lack of sleep influences the health of a child. According to Lissak 2018, “Accumulating evidence indicates that inadequate sleep, both in duration and quality, may compromise youth’s physical and mental health and psychosocial functioning.” Accordingly, Just as sleep deprivation in youths affects their health, it also affects children’s health, especially with limited neurological development. Also, school performance and behavior challenges are attributed to the lack of sleep; hence, psychology and mental health are affected by inadequate sleep (Lissak, 2018). These challenges progress throughout the growth of the children until their teenage years, thus, affecting them in their youth when the irregular sleep routine isn’t rectified. Therefore, sleep is affected by the unlimited screen time that limits the time for other activities such as sleeping, by the types and contents of the media which are internalized affecting the mind and preventing sleep, and finally, the ease of access to the gadgets interferes with sleep routine (Lissak, 2018).

Limited screen time will also reduce social challenges. Unlimited screen time leads to increased media exposure causing limited social interactions. According to Sharkins, Newton, Albaiz, and Ernest 2015, “Some studies caution that children’s use of and exposure to MeTS can lead to decreases in executive functioning (ability to attend to tasks), academic performance, quality social interactions with parents and peers, and creative play.” Accordingly, exposure to Media, Television, and Screen time (MeTS) affects children’s social behavior from the violent video games they play that contribute to compliance with violent actions such as bullying. This behavior influences their performance in school and their interaction with other students. Also, their limited social interaction manifests itself in all interactions they have, contributing to uncomfortable situations.

Additionally, social challenges are associated with depression associated with unlimited screen time. The easy access to unlimited screen behavior is associated with depression and suicidal behavior; and is escalated with the lack of sleep (Lissak, 2018). Accordingly, psychological challenges from unlimited screen time lead to social interaction challenges. According to Lissak 2018, “negative mood, suicidal tendencies, and self-injury are likely to be related to mobile phone dependency, frequent message sending, and prolonged worry about not receiving messages, especially before bedtime.” Social interactions with a child with a negative mood will cause discomfort between all involved parties. Hence, limited screen time will ease social interactions.

However, the limitation of screen time will limit the ability to pick up skills. Children pick up literacy and technological skills from unlimited screen time; hence, the limitation of screen time will limit the chances of acquisition of these skills. According to Sharkins, Newton, Albaiz, and Ernest (2015), “Digital technologies such as computers, mobile phones, technological toys, and games have been found to contribute to young children’s operational skills, knowledge, and increased understanding of the world.” Accordingly, children learn to maneuver technological devices setting a basis for future interests such as computer science. Also, the children’s literacy from reading to talking improves from unlimited screen time from watching television to games on spelling and mathematics (Sharkins et al., 2015). Additionally, these skills improve their understanding of school work, improving their interactions in the school environment.

Therefore, screen time is essential in learning due to improved speech, reading, and technology skills. According to Sharkins et al. (2015), they acknowledge the influence on literacy by saying, “Regarding literacy development, pre-service teachers expressed that integrating computers in their teaching had positive outcomes in terms of instruction and enhancement of literacy skills.” Accordingly, with improved literacy, the performances of children in schools improve due to the improved reading skills and communication skills that allow them to interact in school. Accordingly, limiting screen time will not cause illiteracy but will create a balance between literacy, health, and social behavior.

In conclusion, limited screen time enables children to maintain good health and social relationships. It is evident that exposure to unlimited screen time is associated with mental, psychological, and physical health. Therefore, limiting screen time creates time for physical activities that ensure physical health and help the children interact with their peers. Subsequently, the limited screen time will reduce exposure to content that promotes depression and suicide tendencies promoting mental health. Mental health and adequate sleep allow children to interact perfectly with other people. Also, adequate sleep prevents the development of other health-related issues. Also, limited screen time might limit the time for children to acquire literacy and technological skills, but they will acquire the skills under restricted time. Therefore, a balance will be created, allowing the healthy growth of the children through their adolescent and youthful years. Subsequently, limiting screen time poses more pros than cons, and therefore, it should be implemented by guardians and parents to ensure the healthy growth of the children.

References

Domingues-Montanari, S., 2017. Clinical and psychological effects of excessive screen time on children. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 53(4), pp.333-338.

Lissak, G., 2018. Adverse physiological and psychological effects of screen time on children and adolescents: Literature review and case study. Environmental Research, 164, pp.149-157.

Sharkins, K., Newton, A., Albaiz, N. and Ernest, J., 2015. Preschool Children’s Exposure to Media, Technology, and Screen Time: Perspectives of Caregivers from Three Early Childcare Settings. Early Childhood Education Journal, 44(5), pp.437-444.

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Argument Essay

Overview:

Over the course of the last few units, you have been working on crafting the argument for your Argument Essay. You will now write an argument essay that answers one of these questions.

The Effects of Screen Time for Children

Each of the above questions relate to one of the issues you have already written about in the

You should answer ONE of the above questions in a well-thought out and developed argument essay with:

Third Person, Objective Writing We have probably all had to argue for a position we held. What makes someone receptive to your argument?

Normally, the audience is more willing to listen to your position if you argue for it objectively and avoid unreasonable, argumentative tactics. Your argument needs to be logical and fair, giving people the ability to disagree with you. Your argument also should be written in the third person to show that you can be objective, meaning you use “He,” “she,” “they,” “people,” “one” and do not use “I,” “me,” “we,” “us,” “our,” “you,” and “your.” Instructions:

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