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Screens have become a part of many children's lives today, serving a variety of purposes, be it entertainment, education, or communication.
Board-certified pediatrician Dr. Carina Sharlaine Gironella-Eustaquio, however, warned that while screens can be helpful for kids, too much of them can lead to negative consequences, including poor eating habits and focus.
"Many parents I encounter at the clinic struggle to balance screen time as technology is now essential in a lot of things. While screens can be helpful nowadays, the key is intentional use," she said.
Excessive use of gadgets can negatively affect children in many ways.
Picky eating behavior and increased consumption of sugary food
According to Gironella-Eustaquio, excessive screen time has been found by research to be associated with unhealthy eating habits.
Making children eat vegetables is already a challenge for many parents, and prolonged use of gadgets can contribute even more to the kids becoming picky eaters.
"Screen times may reduce opportunities for children to be exposed to a variety of foods resulting to picky eating behavior," she said.
It can also lead them to consume highly sugary food due to their repeated exposure to advertisements targeted towards children.
Distraction leading to poor appetite regulation and unhealthy weight gain
Another nutritional risk brought by too much screen time is distraction, making them less aware of their hunger as well as their fullness cues.
"Mindless eating tends to make children overeat. Screen time may also disrupt normal eating schedules resulting to skipping meals and developing late-night snacking, which can negatively impact metabolism," Gironella-Eustaquio said.
"More screen time would also mean less physical activity, developing a sedentary lifestyle, which can contribute to weight gain and increased risk of childhood obesity," she added.
Shortened attention span and poor social and academic skills
The medical expert also warned that excessive screen time can condition children to expect constant stimulation, affecting their focus and attention span.
Citing the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the pediatrician said that children who constantly consume highly stimulating digital content may have a lower tolerance for boredom and struggle with delayed gratification, as they become accustomed to constant novelty and instant rewards.
Another pediatrician, Dr. Katelyn Blay-Nair, added that on top of these health concerns, more negative effects include poor academic performance as well as children being exposed to violence.
"This makes them accept violent behavior as a form of problem-solving and they have less time for active and creative play," she said.
Children who spend more time on screens than engaging in interactive games and activities may end up having trouble developing their social skills, emotional management, as well as creative thinking.
What should parents do?
Proper screen time management may be challenging, but it is the first step to avoid the bad effects caused by excessive use.
According to Gironella-Eustaquio, children 2-5 years old are advised not to exceed more than 1 hour per day of educational content with parental guidance.
Meanwhile, children ages 6 and above can be given no strict limit, but their screen time should not replace sleep, physical activity, or face-to-face interactions.
All children under 18 months are advised to avoid screens, except for communication like video chatting.
Aside from screen time supervision, parents and guardians should also prioritize the quality of content the children are consuming. This will make sure that they are not exposed to unhealthy food advertisements that badly influence their habits and choices.
"Vitamins and supplements play a supportive role in a child's nutrition by addressing potential nutrient deficiencies and promoting brain development. However, these should not replace a balanced diet of a child but only fill the gaps when screen time affects the child's diet, sleep, and overall health," she said.
Children may also be given engaging alternatives, like family conversations, books, or table games, to keep them entertained without relying on screens.
Above all, parents must remember to always lead by example.
"Generally, children learn by observing," the pediatrician said. "Start with realistic screen time limits and enforce this rule even to adults. Talk to your child and help them understand the importance of reducing screen time."
—MGP, GMA Integrated News
