The eyes are windows to the soul because they are the most honest part of the face. We are living in a digitalized world, so it is very evident that our eyes are constantly gazing into screens as if our life depends on them offering both opportunities and challenges specifically when managing screen time for our children. The entire generation has been inflicted with digital gadgets starting from smartphones to tablets, and kids are slowly becoming an easy target for this. In this blog, we will try to get deep into the risk factor that comes in handy with excessive consumption of digital content and also discuss the solutions to overcome it.
- Digital Blue Light Exposure:
When kids are exposed to screens for a long time, they deprive themselves of sleep because the blue light tricks their brains into thinking it’s daytime and unknowingly causes harm to their eyes. This light strains their eyes, leading to headaches, and blurry vision. Encouraging outdoor activities and limiting screen time for your kids could be a very effective way to deal with this. Using blue light filters can be another way to avoid sleep disruption.
- Fragmented Attention: It is when one’s concentration breaks into fragments and makes it difficult to continue their work with undivided attention. Kids of today’s generation suffer from a lack of attention, especially in their studies, making the parents worry sick. It can even lead to decreased cognitive performance, reduced productivity, and difficulty in maintaining focus and concentration. By creating a distraction-free environment like a quiet study room, where your children develop a habit of working without distractions, engage your children in physical activity, teaching your children about mindful techniques like deep breathing, and meditation to maintain focus.
- Social Media’s influence: Social media plays an integral part in our daily lives as it holds a significant influence on self-esteem, especially children. Social media portrays curated versions of people’s lives, which are mainly unrealistic and idealized images. Kids often compare themselves to these filtered lifestyles which develop the feeling of low self-worth and shortcomings. Likes, comments, and followers have become the measures for validation which can negatively impact self-esteem. Millennial in their mid-20s struggle with self-esteem due to social media. Peers’ portrayal of career, finance, and relationship goals can generate self-doubt and inadequacy. Offer guidance and reassurance about the pressure they might face online. Show your kids true self-worth comes from within and not from external validations. Indulging your kids in hobbies, and sports, and spending time with family and friends can provide fulfilment beyond social media.
- Erosion of outdoor plays: Nowadays the concept of going out and playing is gradually diminishing contributing to the increased screen time. Increased screen time eliminates physical activity and social interactions leading to obesity and hindering creative explorations. Parents can start taking action by limiting screen time for kids and encouraging outdoor activities and overall well-being and development of children.
Conclusion:
In the end, we can say for the holistic development of your child, it is important to promote outdoor activities and the digital age has made it more crucial. This way you can take a step closer to better and healthy eyesight.