The introduction of technology into our lives has made our work easier in many areas. The use of technology has become increasingly attractive for students to be able to do the necessary research for their homework, to be able to access a wide variety of resources, to conduct research on places and topics of interest.
With the pandemic, we have entered a period where screen use has increased even more.
Children’s online classes, homework, adult work, meetings, etc. We are in the past times when we cannot do without the use of screens. They come together in games and social networks with friends whom they cannot socialize without leaving the house. Therefore, we cannot imagine a life without a screen by completely banning the screen from children or adolescents. Screen use has become even more necessary with the pandemic.
At the same time, the increase in screen use carries with it many risk factors. Exposure of children to images that are not suitable for their age, and the fact that it becomes very easy for them to access inappropriate sites can cause serious harm in the lives of children and adolescents.
Due to the pandemic, excessive, uncontrolled and misuse of screen use has led to many physical and psychosocial problems such as avoidance of social relations, decrease in bodily movements, disruption of eating and sleeping patterns.
How can we protect our children from harm when we are so intertwined with the screen and the internet?
0-3 years old zero screen
3-6 years of age, not to exceed 1 hour a day, with reliable content
Age of the child in the school period after the age of 6 * It is recommended not to exceed 10 minutes.
The quality of the time spent on the screen should be checked. It should be encouraged to use it in quality activities such as learning a new language, discovering new places and cultures, coding.
Determining screen-free time together should spend these times by chatting and playing board games.
All screens should be turned off at meal times.
The screen used by the child and adolescent should be where everyone can see it and should be under the supervision of the parents.
It is necessary to establish strong communication within the family.
It may be to draw certain boundaries about the screen with the child, and to deprive the child of the screen for a period of time agreed with the child when the limits are exceeded.
By controlling technology at an early age, children are taught to use screens safely. As he gets older, responsibility should be given to the child.
Safe internet and app recommendations
For safe internet, you can secure it from your internet service provider. Thus, sites with violence and sexual content are closed.
Youtube kids is available in our country. You can install it on children’s tablets and phones. It is an application with safe content where you can see the watch history.
Google family link controls screen usage for android phones. Games that are not suitable for the age of the child, etc. There are sections such as preventing loading, determining screen hours.
Screen time provides screen control with encrypted screen time application on phones and tablets of apple products.
