Screen time 'may harm toddlers'

By ITS Education Asia

We have all seen a parent handing a tablet young child as a way of entertaining them and keeping them quiet for a while. However, parents may want to limit this practice.

The American Association of Paediatrics' (AAP) guidelines on screen time say:

• For children younger than 18 months, avoid use of screen media other than video-chatting
• Parents of children 18 to 24 months of age who want to introduce digital media should choose high-quality programming, and watch it with their children to help them understand what they are seeing
• For children ages two to five years, limit screen use to one hour per day of high-quality programmes. Again, parents should be watching it with their children.
• For children ages six and older, place consistent limits, making sure screen time does not get in the way of sleep and physical activity.

Parents should give consideration to these guidelines and seek to limit screen time for the very young.