1. AWARENESS TALK - GIVEN ON HEALTHY SCREEN USAGE IN YOUNG CHILDREN
Date: 9th August 2023
Venue: Kid E Care Clinic, Iyyappanthangal, Chennai.

Being a Paediatrician, an awareness session was conducted to highlight the importance of healthy screen usage in young children among the parents. Most parents these days wonder how much screen time for kids is good enough and how to reduce the screen time for kids. In this talk I have shed some light on the effect of screen time on children’s behaviour and development and how to reduce the screen time.

Key points highlighted during the session:
1.Developmental effects of screen time in children.
2.The Role of parenting in limiting screen time for kids.
3.Ways to manage kids screen time.
4.AAP and IAP guidelines on screen time.

The following points and activity ideas were explained during the session:
Screen time can be described as the number of hours per day spent viewing TV/video, computer, electronic games, handheld devices, or other visual devices.

1.Impacts of Excessive Screen Use:
a)Behavioural: Research has shown that excessive screen use, including background screen exposure, can lead to ‘overstimulation’ of your child, or sensory overload. This can lead to poor focus and attention span, decreased energy, and challenging/difficult behaviour. In children Less than 5 years old, studies have shown that>2 hours of screen time/day are associated with 7.7x chance of being diagnosed with attention disorders (e.g. ADHD) and Autism.
b) Developmental: Excessive screen time at a young age has shown to impair social and cognitive development, due to:
• Less exposure to social cues.
• Language delays and poorer language acquisition.
c)Myopia: Myopia can be aggravated by higher screen use.
d)Obesity: Obesity due to reduced physical activity.
e) Sleep disturbances

2. Role of parenting in limiting screen time:
Monitoring your child’s screen time is as important as the type of content they view.
a) Establish Limitations: Parents should set boundaries on how much time their children can spend on screens.
b) Monitor content: Parents should also monitor what their children are watching on TV, playing on video games, or viewing apps .
c) Encourage Interaction: Parents should find other activities to engage their children’s imaginations and promote physical movements like board games or outdoor play.

Following leaflets used during the programme:
Recommendations for Healthy Screen Usage

3)Tips to manage screen time:
Not all screen time is bad! In the digital age, almost all learning and social interaction involves a screen. The key lies in achieving balance! Below are some tips on how to ensure healthy screen usage.

Leaflets used during the programme:

2.EDUCATION OF PRESCHOOL CHILDREN ABOUT HEALTHY SCREEN TIME USAGE
Date:9th August 2023
Venue:Anganwadi center , Kunrathur division,Chennai.

Being a Pediatrician, I educated the children and the teachersin the anganwadi centre about the harmful effects of screen time and its usage limitation.About 19 students and 1 teacher attended the session.

Key points highlighted during the session:
1.Screen time limitation according to the age group as per IAP recommendations.
2.Importance of book reading and other physical outdoor activities.
3.Educated the teacher about the screen time usage guidelines for schools.

The following points and activity ideas were explained during the session:

1.IAP Paediatric guidelines for screen time:
a) Children below 2 years: zero screen time except for video calling.
b) Children between 2 to 5 years: Screen time not exceed 1 hour.
c) For older children and adolescents: Other than online classes maximum of 2 hours.

2.Educated them about the importance of book reading activity:
Benefits of book reading were explained to the children and the teachers, and the children were encouraged to read more.
Some benefits of book reading that were explained to the children and teachers:
- Improved vocabulary and comprehension, enhanced writing skills and increased focus, memory, and articulation
- Value education by way of reading good moral stories
- Stronger development of concentration and lengthening concentration span.
- Memory building is enhanced.
- Listening skills are reinforced which is a key skill that leads to success in school.

3.Educated them about engaging in outdoor physical activities:
Its important to balance screen time with activities like play, sleep, schoolwork, meals, hobbies, and family time.

Following leaflets used during the session to create awareness among children

Outdoor activities like playing in park

Playing ball games




Learning music

Family time and reading activity

3.Guidelines for schools:
-Use conventional teaching media (e.g., Chalk and board, whiteboard, flipcharts)
-DO NOT allow children to carry digital devices to school.
-DO NOT allow school activities to be posted on mass social media
-Teachers should not be allowed to use phones during the class.

Educating the kids in the Anganwadi centre about screen time usage

Book Distribution to encourage reading among children at Anganwadi centre

With Anganwadi teacher and the staff members

Children with awareness leaflets

STEP AWAY FROM THE SCREEN

CONCLUSION: It is essential for the parents and teachers to be aware of the required screen time for kids and to set reasonable limits for age-appropriate activities. Ensuring kids get enough physical activity, sleep and time outdoors is also important. This can help ensure that screen time for kids is not impacting their face-to-face social interactions, which are critical to children’s healthy development in many ways.