Kids MUST LEAD BY EXAMPLE
Professionals also stressed that parents may reduce their own display time to set a good example.
Adj Assoc Prof Chong said studies have shown that excessive display usage by parents usually leads to similar habits in children.
“Parents if type fine screen behavior themselves, and reflect on whether they have tried to spend time with children without letting windows replace other actions, ” she said.
She acknowledged the problems of balancing panel apply for work and leisure in today’s digital age but emphasised the importance of physical exercise.
“We can explain to children that the online use is for work (or ) for example, schoolwork, and the guidelines are trying to separate the use of windows for work versus leisure. However, all monitor time is inactive time, ” she said.
“There is no easy solution because we are a modern society. Maybe this framework allows all of us, as parents, to even reveal on whether our dependence and power of screens are overwhelming. ”
IMH’s Dr Ong suggested that families plan structured home actions, such as reading, exercising, table games and family vacations, to prevent children from relying on electronic devices to pass the time.
“Even little changes, such as reducing time spent scrolling on telephones or prioritising face-to-face contact, can significantly impact children’s behaviour towards camera usage, ” he said.
Kids REACT TO GUIDELINES
Under the new rules, institutions are prohibited from exposing kids up to 18 weeks to windows. For toddlers aged 18 weeks to six years, monitors can only be used for teaching and learning objectives, with use outside of class limited to an hours a day.
Parents of young children who CNA spoke to had mingled actions.
Mr Muhammad Noor Danial, who has a two-year-old boy and a four-year-old girl, called the rules a “good goal”, but said more help is needed for people.
He pointed out that reducing screen time often requires activities outside the home, which can be costly. Family-friendly places in Singapore are also often crowded, he said.
“Sometimes, the traffic just to get there and the experience for a parent can be quite tiresome. As parents of young kids, there will be strollers involved, logistics to prepare, such as the milk and all that,” he added.
“So ( to limit screen time ) to one hour a day, I see it as a good reference point for parents, but it’s also subjected to the parents ’ own capacity and access to support systems outside of their own home. ”
Ms Lydia Yong said she and her husband do not turn the TV on when their 10-month-old daughter is with them. She plans to allow limited screen time after her daughter turns 18 months old, but limit this to 30 minutes a day.
“After 18 months, it ’s probably necessary because there are educational videos that are interactive and that ’s also the age when they start to learn things, ” said the 31-year-old.
“Some parents might also not be able to teach pronunciation too, so I think it ’s okay to watch videos for this. ”