Singapore is one of the most wired nations around, so how realistic is it to limit screen time for children? We find out what parents here are doing with the new expert recommendations.
Many parents already know, at least vaguely, that too much screen time is bad for young kids’ development.
What they may not realise is just how bad it is for little ones to be glued to the screens of TVs, smartphones or computers.
In October last year, the authoritative American Academy of Pediatrics slashed its maximum recommended screen time for children aged two to five. The maximum recommended screen time went from two hours daily to one hour a day.
It also recommended that parents watch “high quality programming” with their children during this hour and that children younger than 18 months get zero screen time (the previous recommendation was that children below two years old should not get any screen time).
Some Singapore parents have already taken steps to set limits, like Mandy Loh. Her smartphone and laptop are password-protected so her two children cannot access the devices on their own.
The stay-at-home mum, 37, also limits screen time for Cristan, five, and Caris, two.
They get to watch about 1½ hours of TV a day after dinner while she does the dishes and other household chores.
This story is from the January 2017 edition of Young Parents Singapore.
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This story is from the January 2017 edition of Young Parents Singapore.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
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