Each generation has its own peculiar societal norms, technology and innovation that become common-place to them. This generation has grown up with a multitude of screens vying for their attention. From the ever-expanding televisions, to computers, laptops, tablets, phones, various smart displays and smart-watches, there have never been so many flashing, animated displays to watch, tap and scroll through. It is simply a fact of life now that most people get their information, entertainment and communicate through one of the many “smart” objects that we carry around and would feel lost without.
With all this technology now being an almost necessary part of daily life, can we actually talk about people being “addicted” to TV or the internet? Can children brought up in a world where they are as likely to watch cartoons on a tablet as on a TV, or learn to read on an I-pad be thought of as being “addicted” to these objects? However, when we think about the social skills children are also supposed to be learning, we can ask ‘Is technology taking the place of personal interaction, communication and quality time between children, their parents and peers?’ With the fast growing technology era and society, do even parents have enough time or give enough time to quality personal interactions with their children that don’t involve a screen?
All this screen-time that today’s children have also has bearing on their physical development. So much screen-time, which is a sedentary activity, with less physical activity can lead to excessive weight gain, to the point that childhood obesity is a current public health issue.
Taking into consideration that screens are an important part of daily life today, often even an educational tool, there is a need to find a balance between this virtual activity and actual physical activity and interaction. To that effect, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recently released guidelines on Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior and Sleep for children under five years of age. It has listed the recommended time duration for physical activity from moderately to vigorous intense physical activity, sedentary behavior which includes screen time and sleep hours for a 24-hour period. ‘Replacing restrained or sedentary screen time with more moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity, while preserving sufficient sleep, can provide additional health benefits’ (WHO, 2019).
The table below is adapted from the WHO GUIDELINES ON PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, SEDENTARY BEHAVIOR AND SLEEP FOR CHILDREN UNDER 5 YEARS OF AGE. The complete guidelines can be accessed at www.who.int/. Guidelines for the 5-17 year age group can also be accessed on their website.
| AGE | PHYSICAL ACTIVITY | SEDENTARY SCREEN TIME | GOOD QUALITY SLEEP |
| Infants (less than 1 year) | Physical Activity for at least 30 minutes spread out during the day | Zero minutes screen time and should not be restrained for more than an hour at a time | Have 14–17hrs (0–3 months of age) or 12–16hrs (4–11 months of age) of good quality sleep, including naps. |
| Children 1-2 years of age | Spend at least 180 minutes in a variety of types of physical activities | For 1-year-olds, sedentary screen time
(such as watching TV or videos, playing computer games) is not recommended. For those aged 2 years, sedentary screen time should be no more than 1 hour; less is better. |
Have 11–14hrs of good quality sleep, including naps, with regular sleep and wake-up times |
| Children 3-4 years of age | Spend at least 180 minutes in a variety of types of physical
activities at any intensity, of which at least 60 minutes is moderate- to vigorous intensity physical activity, spread throughout the day; more is better. |
Not to be restrained for more than 1 hour at a time (e.g., prams/
strollers) or sit for extended periods of time. Sedentary screen time should be no more than 1 hour; less is better. When sedentary, engaging in reading and storytelling with a caregiver is encouraged. |
Have 10–13hrs of good quality sleep, which may include a nap, with regular sleep and wake-up times |
As technology advances, we will no doubt have to keep redefining norms, behaviors and even attitudes towards our constantly changing world.
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