Prepare your children for success in the digital era with valuable insights on raising screen-smart kids. Discover essential strategies to navigate the modern age effectively.

“The wheels on the bus…… Mumma!!”, utters my two-year-old whenever she finds a smartphone in my hand. She is unaware of the significance of the gadget but wishes access to it ASAP! This is the impact of digitality in our lives today. Smartphones, laptops, computers, televisions, tablets and whatnot circumscribe us !! The preferred interlinking factor among them is the World Wide Web, commonly known as the Internet. As parents and educators, it is crucial to equip children with screen-smart skills to navigate through this digital landscape effectively and responsibly.

 

The Relationship between screen time and fundamental motor skills and physical activities in the Digital Era.

Every coin has both a head and a tail, similar has the effects of screen time on children. As per Harvard Medical School, Debra Bradley Ruder explains in her article how important it is for children to cherish screen time and the physical world. The content being watched on screen affects one response in real life. It was found how harmful the effects of screen time were before sleep.

ScienceDirect in one of its articles indicates how increased screen time is directly proportional to lesser motor skills and lower academic intelligence. The statistics show a red flag indicating that kids these days indulge in screen time five times more than the prescribed limit.

 Increased screen time also indicates lesser physical movement, worsening the effects of obesity among children.

 

In another article, ScienceDirect also states that along with physical health effects such as high blood pressure, obesity, insulin resistance, poor vision, and cholesterol, there are also psychological effects like disruptive sleep patterns, depression, Attention-deficit/hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and suicidal attempt with an increased screen time limit.

 

On the brighter side, there are also benefits of having access to Digital gadgets over children:

• Access to updated information.
• Global Participation (in competitions).
•  Family bonding over communication.
• Learning through Digital books.

Recommended Screen Time By Age

Parents can adjust the screen time as per the needs of their children. To get an overview, here are some tips for recommended screen time by age.

• Children under 2 years of age: The American Academy Of Pediatrics in an article has led guidelines for children of different ages regarding the use and access to screen time. It must be noted that children under 2 years of age only benefit by recognizing their family.

• Children aged between 2-5 years of age: For those between 3 to 5 years of age learn through E-books. Parents should take up the responsibility to be a watchdog and act accordingly.

• Children above the age of 5: A balance should strive between screen time and additional activities.

Developing a screen smart mindset for this Digital Era

In one of its articles, Cambridge.org identifies the three pillars that learners require to achieve their full potential: emotional Development, Discipline Knowledge and Digital Literacy.  Elaborating on the third pillar, it is argued that Digital Literacy is not just turning on and operating the devices, but engaging with them so that any such potential harm is identified and fixed by the users.

Components of Digital Literacy	Description
Online Communication Skills	Ability to effectively communicate and collaborate using digital platforms, emails, and messaging apps.
Information Literacy	Proficiency in searching, evaluating, and critically analyzing information from online sources.
Digital Security and Privacy	Knowledge of how to protect personal information, use strong passwords, and navigate privacy settings.
Cybersecurity Awareness	Understand online threats, such as phishing, malware, and scams, and practice safe online behaviours.
Digital Ethics	Understand ethical behaviour online, including respect for others, responsible sharing, and avoiding cyberbullying.
	Ability to critically evaluate and analyze media content, including recognizing bias and misinformation.

Improve Children’s Approach to Digitality: Ways to Moderate Increased Screen Time.

It is a known fact that we cannot keep children aloof from technology in today’s digital era. Parents and guardians should join hands and regulate the increased screen time.

1 Establishing an open and ongoing dialogue on Digital Impact

Children can learn the basics of dialogue by integrating the use of technology. A software called ‘Kate’s Choice’ was developed by a research team, Wegerif, to enhance the interactivity ability in groups among children.

Here Kate and Robert are best friends. Robert informs her that he has stolen chocolates from an outlet for his mother. Kate was asked not to reveal this, she is now in a state of confusion. Children in groups were asked to develop further conversation. Through this exercise, kids can be seen providing their input based on morality.

Also Read: 5 Excellent Ways CBSE Parenting Calendar Can Transform Parent Teacher Communication!

2 Guidelines to Promote Healthier Digital Use among Children at Home

The American Psychological Association in one of its articles describes how parents are worried about the struggle they face while supervising the increased screen time of their children and the harmful effects of it on their mental well-being.

Here is a list of guidelines that parents can adopt while monitoring the use of Digitality for children:

• Not just a gadget– Children at a younger age should use Digital Gadgets under their parents’ supervision. Privacy protection guidelines should be introduced with a touch of personal experience and in-depth as they grow older.
• Be an influencer– Children often tend to copy their parents. Frame an all-inclusive set of rules regarding the use of screen time.
• Apply your wisdom– It is okay to allow children to enjoy screen time sometimes. For example, if your child wants to participate in a group where kids are online playing a “word-maker” game, let him/her get indulged. This will not only improve vocabulary but also develop a habit of group management.

3 Responsibility of School and Community

While children at home can be educated about the wise ways to use screen time, they also need some advice from the school and community levels.

Children should be educated about the risks of screen time through campaigns at the school level. By incorporating digital literacy programs into the curriculum, children can get a taste of using screen time in their budding years.

As a community, organising events and campaigns can be beneficial for children, parents and educators at once.

 

Recognizing the impact of the digital era on children’s lives and acknowledging the need to equip them with screen-smart skills is paramount. By doing so, we empower children to navigate the digital landscape responsibly, harness the benefits of technology, and mitigate potential risks.

Conclusion

Screen smart skills go beyond managing increased screen time; they involve critical thinking, digital literacy, responsible behaviour, and maintaining a healthy balance. Equipping children with these skills prepares them for a digital future and enables them to thrive in the rapidly evolving digital era while safeguarding their well-being. Through collaboration between parents, educators, schools, and communities, we can ensure that children develop into screen-smart individuals who make informed decisions, use technology responsibly, and lead fulfilling lives both online and offline.