One of the great challenges that many parents face is how to manage your leisure time. How many hours can they watch television? Should I control the information they receive from the Internet? Is it necessary for them to start using mobile phones? Before, the debate focused on how the television had become the favorite toy of children and the influence that audiovisual content had on their lives, now, the screens have multiplied, and so has the concern of families.
New technologies have become part of our lives. Although we can find educational content for minors to entertain themselves and expand knowledge at the same time, there are also inappropriate spaces for them. Television, computer, tablet or mobile phone are not a 'babysitter' and you cannot use these devices as playmates, despite the fact that the offer has grown a lot in recent years. The key is to control both the time they spend in front of screens and the content they handle, and to do so, parents must be an example.
Pediatric experts warn of harmful effects of the use of devices such as mobile phones, tablets or televisions children from 6 to 11 years, period in which they study Primary Education in Spain. The Spanish Association of Pediatrics (AEP) explains that it is a time where minors develop their potential, their character and their autonomy. That is, they begin to have their own ideas. Therefore, although friends are beginning to play a more important role, family and parents continue to be the references. Additionally, they reveal the benefits of being exposed to other significant adults (teachers, classmates, coaches, etc.), as it enriches their world and expands their possibilities.
How and why to control the use of technological devices in children
1. You have to be very attentive with these technologies, which are very useful but also addictive and potentially dangerous. It should not take away time from physical exercise, reading, studies, family relationships, or encourage virtual relationships over “real” ones.
2. Generally, at this age mobile phone is not necessary.
3. It is important choose carefully the programs they watch on television, the games and the web pages to which they access. Computers must have restricted access to certain pages. Responsible adults must know where the child is browsing at all times. It is not recommended that you have a computer, video game consoles, or television in your room.
4. It's good create a list of rules to follow as long as they are online and place them near the equipment. (“Never give out your name, phone number, address, passwords or credit card numbers. If something bothers you, turn it off and let me know. Never meet up with someone you met online and don't think that because you've been chatting with them for a long time that they are a reliable friend.”)
With regards to the behavioral habits in childhood and the role played by television, research from the University of Montreal (Canada, published last year in the 'International Journal of Nutrition') warned of the consequences that spending many hours sitting in front of the television can have on health. In their studies, the Canadian team discovered that the decrease in muscle tone and increase in abdominal fat that many of the minor participants in the survey had corresponded with the amount of time they spent watching TV.
Television can be a socialization tool of the child and new media Communication can have an educational function, since they stimulate many senses in a participatory activity, but the time your child spends watching TV or on the Internet is time that is stolen from other activities that are equally important for their cognitive and emotional development such as reading, artistic creativity, studying, games or moments with family and friends.
