The risks of unrestricted screen time for your child's health

James Njuguna, a teacher in Eastleigh, encountered an unexpected challenge recently. After assigning weekend homework to his Grade 8 students, he found that one student returned to school without doing the work. Instead of focusing on her assignments, she had spent the entire weekend binge-watching her favourite TV series. This screen obsession left her homework untouched and made her so tired that she spent the whole school day struggling to stay awake and engaged.

“We’re seeing a situation where kids are no longer bringing their assignments home because they’re too caught up in games and movies. For some, it has become an addiction,” Njuguna says.

This shift has led to a rise in parents getting concerned about why their children seem so unproductive and idle at home.

Njuguna notes that many students are not engaging in active learning because they stay up too late playing video games, binge-watching series, or scrolling through their phones.

“This is seriously affecting their ability to learn. While gadgets can be helpful if used wisely, what we’re dealing with is unlimited screen time, and it’s having a big impact on students’ performance across the board,” he says.

He emphasises the need for balance, noting that both teachers and parents need to set limits on how much time students spend on screens.

He observes that students are getting so used to passive activities and end up struggling with physical tasks.

“When they’re asked to do something active, they often can’t handle it and end up dozing off. This cycle continues when they go home, and it’s also hurting their creativity.”

Njuguna also advises parents to be mindful of the content their children are watching.

“Some shows, especially those targeted at boys, can expose them to a lot of aggression. This can influence their behaviour, sometimes leading to bullying in school.”

To tackle these issues, he recommends that screen time should be limited to between 20 minutes and one hour a day. The rest of the time, he says, should be filled with physical activities and learning to help boost their creativity and overall concentration.

Millie Owino, a mother in Nairobi, has been grappling with the constant struggle with her three children’s screen time. Despite her best efforts to control their device use, it feels like a never-ending battle.

“I’ve confiscated their phones countless times but eventually, I have to give them back because they start withdrawing, and one of them even came close to depression. Honestly, I don’t know how to handle it,” Owino says.

As a working single mother, Owino faces the challenge of balancing her job with spending quality time with her children.

“I need to stay in touch with them for both safety and communication, so it’s tough to be with them all the time.”

Her efforts to limit their screen time have been extensive.

“I even stopped paying for Netflix, hoping that would cut down on their series watching. But it seems they’ve found ways to watch what they want, even without it.”

One strategy Owino employs is turning off the Wi-Fi, forcing her children to either read their books or find other activities.

“Sometimes this works, but other times, they just end up taking a nap instead of being productive.”

Dr Varsha Hirani, a Nairobi-based paediatric consultant. She says children spending excessive time on screens are more likely to consume unhealthy snacks. (Photo: Handout)

While some parents hope to introduce technology to their children later in life, the digital era has ushered them into the world of gadgets much earlier. Although technology offers numerous advantages, it may be affecting children’s concentration and overall health. The constant exposure to screens from a young age can have a significant impact, potentially disrupting their ability to focus and affecting their well-being.

Dr Varsha Hirani a paediatric consultant in Nairobi, notes that excessive screen time often leads to prolonged periods of inactivity, which means children are more likely to consume unhealthy snacks and less likely to engage in physical exercise. This combination contributes to obesity and increases the risk of non-communicable metabolic diseases.

“Prolonged screen exposure can cause eye strain, redness, and tearing. It can also negatively impact social behaviour, cause delays in development, and potentially contribute to speech delays in young children”

Hirani adds that screen time can be very addictive, and global studies show that only about a quarter of children adhere to recommended screen time guidelines.

Excessive screen use can negatively affect cognitive behaviour and lead to antisocial behaviour such as difficulties playing well with others. Mentally, it can contribute to anxiety disorders, depression, and poor academic performance. Physically, it can lead to poor posture, eye strain, and delayed speech development.

“As a paediatrician, I have observed that screen time can significantly impact social interactions, leading to difficulties in peer relationships and communication delays. It can also contribute to obesity, poor eating habits, sleep disturbances, and mental health issues.”

Hirani offers some recommendations to address these concerns.

Follow Guidelines: When used appropriately, screen time can be beneficial. Limit screen time to less than one hour per day for young children and avoid screens for those under two years old.

Choose content wisely: Ensure that content is educational and suitable for the child’s age.

Establish Routines: Keep screens out of mealtimes and bedtime routines.

Engage in other activities: Spend quality time with your children through outdoor activities, board games, arts and crafts, or reading together.

Set an example: Model good habits by limiting your own screen time in front of your children.

Use technology wisely: Utilise apps that help manage screen time or control content to maintain healthy usage.