Children watching tv, how long is the right duration?

For children today, watching TV or using gadgets for hours is no longer a strange thing to do. Some parents do not even hesitate to allow their young children to play games or watch videos on their electronic devices as a "weapon" so that they remain calm and don't worry about having tantrums in public. But you know, the more time a child spends in front of an electronic screen during his childhood, the more bad effects that can affect his growth and development until he grows up? So, how long is the ideal length for children to watch TV and play gadgets in a day?

What are the consequences if the child watches TV for too long?

The KPI report shows that Indonesian children rank at the top in terms of watching the longest television broadcast among ASEAN countries. On average, Indonesian children watch up to 5-7 hours of TV every day, while children in other ASEAN countries only spend 2-3 hours in front of the TV.

A study published in the 2017 Archives of Disease in Childhood reports that children who are used to watching television for more than 3 hours each day are at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Children who watch TV for more than 3 hours per day are also reported to be at risk for obesity by the age of 30, said another British study.

The bad impact of watching TV for too long does not stop with physical health, you know! A study by a research team from the University of Otago in New Zealad published in the journal Pediatric states that watching TV too often is associated with the development of sociopathic traits as children grow up.

How about influence gadget , such as cell phones and game consoles, on child development? The results are not as different as imagined. A study presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting in San Francisco reports that toddlers who frequently use gadgets are at risk of talking late.

While it is summarized from various studies, the scientists' analysis shows that it is children who do wear gadget to interact on social media excessively three times more likely to experience sleep disorders, including insomnia, which can trigger anxiety disorders and depression

So, what is the ideal limit for the duration of children watching TV and playing gadgets?

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), parents should not allow their children to use any electronic devices (game consoles, lappto, electronic tablets, cell phones) until they are 18 months of age. When the child is between 18-24 months of age, you can start introducing them to digital media that has educational content.

Meanwhile, the duration of watching TV and usage gadget for children 2-5 years old should be limited to a maximum of 1 hour per day. The content is only limited to that of an educational nature. When allowing children to watch TV or play gadgets, you must continue to accompany them to monitor what they watch.

For children older than 6 years, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends duration watching TV should be less than 2 hours each day.

What about social media? Pediatricians from around the world agree on its use social media must be restricted only 1.5 to two hours a day for children who are teenagers and teenagers.

You need to time it too

After you know the safe duration for children to watch TV and play gadget , the next step you need to do is set the schedule. Agree with the child at any time that is allowed and not allowed for him to use gadget .

Do not let your child become addicted to gadgets, so you must wisely arrange the schedule in such a way so that he has enough time to sleep, do physical activities, and other activities. For example, at dinner and before bed, children should not be near electronic devices because it can interfere with study time and sleep time.

Also teach children about the ethics of interacting and how to communicate properly in cyberspace so that they are not involved in cases of cyberbullying.

However, there is one exception. If you have a family member who lives far away so you will need to use it often video call To communicate, it's okay to involve your little one during the session. Communication via video call is not counted screen time and not dangerous, communication with family members can train children's social skills.