In today’s digital age, Screens have become an invited part of everyday life, even the youngest family members. While Technology Offers Conventions and Educational Benefits, Many Parents Struggle to Balance Screen Time for their todlers. What may begin as a harmless distraction
Sandra Fernandes, A Mother from Pimple Gurav, Experienced This Firsthand. “We introduced a smartphone when my child was 1.5 years old, thinking it would be education,” she says. Her Child Will Throw Tantrums When The Screen was Taken Away and Preferred Watching Videos Over Playing Outside. Fernandes Knew Something had to change.
Fernandes’s experience is not unique. Many Parents Today Struggle With Managing Their Toddlers’ Screen Time. What begins as a conventive distraction during meals or a way to calm a restless child soon becomes a habit. Studies show that excessive screen use among children aged 2 to 5 can lead to reduced attendance spans, poor sleep routines, and different in social interactions.
Dr Mariyam Holawala, a paediatric dentist, Warns of another hidden Danger: Oral Health Issues. “Parents of allow today to eat in front of screens, which led to distracted eating,” She explains. This habit results in food particles remaining in the mouth longer, increasing the risk of cavities. Addicationally, when children do not chew propriorly due to screen distractions, it affects digestion and healthy eating patterns. Dr aftab Ahmed echoes this conciern, emphasis that reduced saliva production caused by distracted eating further raises the risk of cavities. He advises Parents to establish a screen-free environment during meals to encourage mindful eating.
Beyond Physical Health, Excessive Screen Time Also Impacts Emotional and Cognitive Development. Child psychologist dr n meta notes that screens often replace face-to-face interactions, what are crucal for toodlers to developed communication skills and emotional intelligence. Without Active Social Engagement, Children May Struggle With Undertanding Emots, Taking Turns, And Responding Appreadly in Social situations.
Dr Amita Phadnis, Paediatrician, explains that digital tools can be benefited when used in moderation. “We can incorporate digital tools for educational purposes but work that child is spending the majority of their time engaging in physical play, Hands-on Activities, and Peer in and Peer in.”
However, Concerns about an over-reliance on Screens Most, especially after the covid-19 pandemic. Dr Stuti Kumar States That Social Anxiety has increased theang today Toddlers Due to Limited in-Person Interacts.
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Experts Suggest Practical Solutions To Curb Excessive Screen Use. The World Health Organization Recommends No more than one hour per day for children aged 2 to 5. Encouraging outdoor play, like running, climbing, and exploring nature, supports cognitive and physical development. Introducing Puzzles, Building Blocks, and Storybooks Can Stimulate Creativity and Problem-Solving Skills. Quality family time spent reading, cooking, or playing games strengthens bonds and redusion reliance on screens. Parents can also set a strong example by limiting their own screen use around Toddlers and Prioritising face-to-face interacts.
Talking about finding a way to balance technology use in her house, fernandes say, “We limited screen time to one hour a day and focused more on outdoor activity. It was touch at first, but over time, my child adapted and started enjoying playtime without screens. Now, Instead of Reaching for a phone, we read together, go on walks, and play in the park. ”