Left To Their Own Devices

Children are spending more time than ever glued to screens. What’s a parent to do?

- Wendy Stelzmann

IF YOU haven’t done it with your own child, you’ve probably seen another parent do it – in a restaurant, in a waiting room, maybe even in church. It’s the one thing you know you can count on to keep a little one quiet and occupied for a while – that magical screen.

Smartphones and tablets have become electronic babysitters at home too, keeping your child happily occupied – and out of trouble – as you get on with the million things you have to get done. It’s just so convenient.

And with the school holidays upon us, those babysitters are likely to work over­ time.

But research into the consequences of children’s digital habits doesn’t paint a pretty picture. Excessive screen time can stunt cognitive development in the early years, hinder social interaction and cause kids to become disengaged, researchers say. 

But if it keeps kids occupied – sometimes with educational games and apps – can it really be so bad?

“Many parents intuitively know it’s un­healthy for their children to spend hours on end in front of a screen,” says Dr Bren­ dan Belsham, a Johannesburg­ based child and adolescent psychiatrist. Even if they don’t fully understand why.

“It’s easy to slip into giving kids no boundaries with regard to screen time because when they’re on a screen they’re usually quiet, not making a mess and not demanding your attention,” says Nikki Bush, a parenting expert and co­author of Tech­Savvy Parenting.

“Screens have become a pacifier and a prop. And parents are also copping out because they don’t want to fight. They want to keep their kids happy all the time because they don’t want to deal with sulking and whining – but that doesn’t help anyone.”

THE CRUCIAL EARLY YEARS