More on the Dangers of Cell Phones for Children

I recently saw a story on the local news about guidelines coming down from the Department of Health and Human Services to limit screen time for kids. They claim that excessive use of screen time is becoming an urgent public health concern. They recommend no screen time for children under 18 months, less than an hour a day for children up to 6 years of age, and less than two hours a day for those ages 6 to 18.

The story recommended some strategies for helping children to meet these limits, like communication alternatives such as flip phones or cellular-enabled smartwatches, but also replacing screen time with more traditional childhood activities, like outdoor play and reading. I’m all for the reading!

The reporter ended the story by suggesting that parents model the desired behavior for their children, engaging in less screen time themselves. I’ve heard it said that lessons are more often caught than taught. And what I’ve seen of adult cell phone usage leads me to believe that there are many adults who are just as addicted to their phones as are their children.

Because of a child’s mental and emotional development, I consider they have less culpability in the addiction aspects, but adults have much less excuse. I think it would be wonderful if adults would step up in their responsibility to model good behavior by putting down their smartphones from time to time and engaging in non-digitally connected activities with their children, especially on weekends and during vacations. Maybe even read a book with them.

Unplug for a while; it won’t kill you. And life will go on without you being involved in every little thing, especially at work.

*Image by Claudio-Duart-Designer from Pixabay