What is Screen Addiction?

Screen addiction is essentially an unhealthy relationship with screens that results in excessive and compulsive use. It’s essentially an attempt to self-medicate difficult feelings and emotions by using a device as a form of escapism. It is often characterised by an inability to regain control over the use, irritability, and exhaustion when the device isn’t available.

While the presence of screens in our lives can be beneficial, overuse of them can potentially lead to serious impacts on physical and mental health. According to experts, screen addiction in children can lead to a number of issues, including a decrease in cognitive skills such as attention and problem solving as they increasingly rely on devices to learn, decreased social and physical activities, and greater susceptibility to health conditions such as obesity and depression.

Screen addiction in children is a growing problem that is becoming increasingly concerning. With the fast development of technology and easy access to digital content, kids are becoming more and more attached to their screens. Whether it’s smartphones, tablets, or computer games, children’s exposure to digital screens is growing rapidly, leading to a potential increase in screen addiction.

It’s important to note that all these risks are amplified in the younger generation, as they are the ones most frequently exposed to and engaging with digital devices. With exposure to screens at an all-time high, it’s essential that parents and educators are aware of the potential risks.

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How a parent can manage screen time

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Appropriate screen time for children, how much is too much?