How long should a child watch TV in a day?

The duration of the child watching TV sometimes becomes a big dilemma for parents. The reason is, television and gadget others can help parents in distracting children when they have to be busy with other matters. But it cannot be avoided, there are side effects from the habit of watching TV too often. Then, how long is the ideal duration for children to watch television? Here's the explanation.

TV viewing limits for toddlers

Quoting from Kids Health, the first two years of a baby's age are a time when a baby's brain is developing very rapidly.

So, it is very important for your little one to know and hone his five senses by seeing, hearing, and feeling.

However, honing your little one's senses should not be done by watching TV.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that babies under 18 months do not watch TV at all.

Except for video call grandparents, aunties, or other families that allow babies to interact.

Dr. Vic Strassburger as the representative of AAP stated that the ideal TV viewing duration for children aged 2 years and under should be less than 1 hour per day.

Meanwhile, children aged 2 years and over have a maximum of two hours per day.

Here are the rules for watching TV for children from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP):

• Screentime limit babies under 18 months are only for video call family.
• Children aged 18-24 months must watch educational shows with a companion.
• Children aged 2-5 years watch non-educational TV shows only a maximum of 1 hour per day.
• On weekends, the maximum viewing duration is 3 hours.
• Turn off the TV during meals and family events.
• Avoid giving impressions 30-60 minutes before bed.

Children may not have internet access or their own cable TV network in the room. This makes it difficult for parents to monitor the types of children's viewing and what children see in the media.

What is the effect of watching too much TV on children?

It is possible that video viewing on social media and TV has benefits for children. For example, introducing animal names, colors, and learning to tell stories.

But what parents need to be aware of is that there are dangerous side effects when children watch TV for too long, here is the explanation.

One way communication

Quoting from the Mayo Clinic, watching too much TV has an effect on children's brain development because broadcasts are only one way.

This has the risk of making children speak late and interfering with children's language development.

He only received various knowledge that your little one saw in the video without any interaction. It is different when children are read by story books or playing cards with their parents.

You can ask about the characters in the story, the clothes used, the colors, and so on.

Here, the child will learn problem solving or problem solving albeit in a simple way.

Obesity or overweight

Too long watching TV can make children become obese or overweight, especially if he has his own TV in the bedroom.

Children who watch TV more than 5 hours per day are more likely to gain weight, compared to children who watch only 0-2 hours.

The child tends to eat or snacking while watching TV and made him unable to control the food he consumed.

Sleep disturbance

Quoting from Healthy Children, watching TV for too long can interfere with the quality of children's sleep. Especially if your little one watches videos from your cellphone while in a sleeping position.

This prevents him from sleeping well and disrupting his schedule for resting at night.

Tips for accompanying children to watch TV

Even though it has a bad effect on children, it doesn't mean that parents should completely prohibit the use of TVs and cell phones.

You can still compromise on this in a number of ways, namely:

Make a schedule for watching TV for children

The first way that can be done is to make a TV watching schedule for children with applicable rules.

For example, not watching TV while eating, playing, and at bedtime.

Make a simple agreement with your little one if he violates this.

Toddlers already understand well-scheduled routines. If done in a disciplined manner, slowly he will understand.

Watch TV with children

As a way to limit and monitor the time your child watches TV, accompany the child while watching it.

This step also makes it easier for children to ask questions about shows that they don't understand.

Have a simple discussion about what he's currently watching. Here, children will learn to interact with other people and try to do problem solving together.

Provide shows according to the child's age

Parents need to pay attention to the type of spectacle for their little one. When you have a smart TV or smart TV, you can choose what to watch according to your child's age.

Some shows already have a special section for children, so the films and stories that are served are for the little one.

Stay active outside

Create outdoor activities or relaxing sports to help your little one be active in the child's cognitive development. Watching TV for too long makes the child's body not move much.

This can have a negative impact on the health of your little one, such as obesity and tantrums.

Do light exercise such as walking leisurely around the house or stretching to keep the child's body fresh. This can also be a way to deal with hyperactive children.

Avoid giving shows when the child is fussy

The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) advises against providing shows when children are fussy.

When the child is tantrums, fussy, or crying, avoid giving TV or videos as "medicine" to keep him quiet.

If obeyed, this will become a child's weapon in the future when he wants something.

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