Nowadays, most of the children have easy access to smart phones or they have their own personal screen devices. The average time spent by the children (7 years- 16 years ) using mobile phones or personal computers is more than 2 hours a day, in general. Due to the lock down the duration of use of mobile phone and even personal computer have increased by 3 to 4 times a day as internet is the only medium to continue study and connect with friends. The overuse of screen devices like mobile phone, personal computers etc can affect the mental, physical and social health of the children adversely.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic more than 1.5 billion children are affected around the globe because of closure of schools. And lots of children are using mobile phones and personal computers more than 8 hours a day unguided at home in lock-down. Mobile phones are such a private technology that it has become a big challenge for parents to monitor what children are accessing online. And most of the children even sleep with mobile phone beside them. This overuse of mobile phone during lock-down can affect almost all the aspects of your children health.
Lots of children are using mobile phones and personal computers around 6 to 8 hours a day at home in lock-down. Mobile phones are such a private technology that it has become a big challenge for parents to monitor what children are accessing online.This overuse of mobile phone during lock-down can affect almost all the aspects of your children health.
MENTAL HEALTH
Excessive use of cell phones among children may results in cell phone addiction which will lead to stressful behavior change. Problematic smart phone use can affect the mental health of the children in various ways:
- The children will experience anxiety and depression when they are away from their cell phone.
- It increases impatience, disturbs daily life, affect productive time which leads to poor academic performance.
- The most of the children use cell phones till late night on bed, which leads to insomnia. And insomnia ultimately results in depression and anxiety.
PHYSICAL HEALTH
Problematic smart phone use reduces the time of physical activity, exposes to harmful radiations, decreases the sleep time which has very bad consequences on children health.
- Children have high obesity risk and as most of the time is spent indoor before screen, it prevents children playing outdoor sports. And the decline in outdoor activity has adverse affect on fitness.
- Children become lazy and develops the tendency of postponing the priorities due to smartphone addiction.
- Over exposure to the screen also increases the risk of eye related problems.
- Children has more chances of suffering from the disorders caused due to the excessive exposure to the radiation.
SOCIAL HEALTH
When kids get access to violent, sexual and immoral contents in internet; it may influence their social behavior in a destructive way. Unfortunately, its very difficult to control what they are accessing online as smart phones are very private devices that everyone keeps it very close to themselves as if it is a part of their body.
- Problematic smart phone use can lead them vulnerable to be bullied.
- They may get influenced and commit cyber-crime like online harassment to others or may be getting harassed by others.
- They may get involved in Fraping and Cyber Bullying..
- More chances of occurrence of privacy related problems.
As most of the kids and parents are stuck in their homes for uncertain period of time; this period can be utilized to nurture their kids rather than encouraging problematic smartphone use carelessly.Excessive use of smartphones may lead to screen addiction which is as dangerous as drug addiction. This lock down has even a positive side. Parents have an opportunity to know their kids better, improve their shortcoming, enhance moral values, teach them household activities, explore their psychological state and strengthen bonding. So that children stay engaged along with enhancement in their personality. Hence, its a responsibility of parents to use this lock down period for nurturing their kids rather than neglecting their presence by allowing them to stuck before the screens.
Sandip Gupta (Chairperson, SKETCH NEPAL)
SKETCH NEPAL 
Article is very good. Parents should instill good purpose and benefits of using this media. They should counsel and assure them about the adverse effects of using excessive cell phone. Keeping eye on them to bring necessary changes and modification in their behavior pattern.
Provide importance of online access
Worldwide online access is required to know the current and updated information through internet which cannot be obtained through book picture.
Children need to be aware about the facts of corona virus (COVID-19). They should possess positive attitude and proper knowledge about mode of transmission, clinical features, and its preventive measures. Parents can play important role in converting this knowledge into practice.
Most importantly they can be taught about importance of hand washing and social distancing. Hand washing or sanitization- Medical hand-washing for 20 seconds.
Social-distancing- maintaining 6 feet/1 meter distance from others, no gathering in mass or in groups.
Proper use of mask-how to wear and dispose it.
Time can be utilized by doing various things. Firstly setting time-table.
Engaging children in other activities can reduce addiction to cell phones. Parents should also talk about holistic health (includes physical, mental, spiritual, emotional), the positive outcome of it. Children need entertainment (dancing, singing, listening to music, writing poems, reading books, watching movies & spiritual shows, etc). Also can practice relaxation techniques like yoga, guided imaginary, aerobic exercise, etc to reduce anxiety, depression as well as obesity. They can play indoor games and quiz contest with their siblings to reduce from privacy related problems. Home environment should be set free to ventilate all their inner problems anytime. They can also help their mothers in cooking, washing dishes and clothes, arranging and cleaning house, etc.
They can complete their homework and assignment as schools and colleges in Kathmandu have started providing online education (distance learning) through various popular web conferencing services like zoom meeting, Team Viewer, Skype, etc. this will enhance learning, sharing, connectivity, as well as communication skills will also be developed. However, they will be motivated and more focused to self directed learning.
They should be made aware that lockdown is temporary and not to get panic.
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