The COVID-19 pandemic has forced millions of students out of schools and while at home, most have started an online alternative to school. Since the pandemic started 66% of children have spent more time on their devices as compared to pre-pandemic – 60% spend more than 3 hours per day on their device, 49% spent over 6 hours online each day, and 30% are online without supervision for more than 4 hours every day. Just 34% of children spend more time playing without a screen than with a screen since the start of the pandemic.
Having too much screen time can be detrimental to children of all ages – ranging from children under the age of 2 all the way up to teens and young adults. Children under the age of 2 who regularly watch at least 1 hour of television every day show an increased risk of a number of delays, including cognitive, language, and motor delays. Children between the ages of 2 to 6 who use screens frequently may be more likely to experience emotional problems and family dysfunction.
Learn more about how to get the best out of screen time now that the pandemic has made it more necessary than ever here.
[…] these days are starting to spend too much time on their phones, and are reading less than ever before. Literacy is an important life skill, and kids should be […]