Because of the pandemic and lockdowns the world over, the lives of school children and their parents have been seriously affected. Schools are closed and children are spending more time at home and learning online. Their screen time has increased dramatically. Parents are stressed out because they need to make sure their children are learning well while they worry about job loss, myriad chores, keeping the family physically and mentally healthy and safe, decrease in income, sick friends or relatives, and many other huge concerns.
Sometimes, parents resort to using TV or the Internet to distract their kids so they can get more things done, or so they could simply rest for a bit. Children, therefore, are more exposed to gadgets and technology and, naturally, to the risks related to the increased exposure.
According to the United Nations, about 1.25 billion children and young people in 124 countries are being affected by school closures. These children are spending their time at home, grappling with the fact that all of a sudden, there are no classmates and friends to interact with and that their parents have suddenly become their teachers. Parents, on the other hand, are trying their best to keep it together as they spend all of their time with their kids these days.
Even before Covid-19 happened, we all know that children need “a mix of physical activity, unrestrained play, a big chunk of sleep, and a very limited amount of time on screens” to achieve good health (Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for Children and Youth). For children who are five to 17 years of age, the suggested screen time is two hours or less. For toddlers and preschoolers over two years old, it’s just one hour. For children younger than that, screen time is not being recommended.
The issue of tech addiction has been a growing problem, now compounded by the effects of the global pandemic. Is there a way to protect our kids from the negative effects of technology and the risks associated with spending time online as we make sure that they continue to receive quality education and some form of interaction with friends and teachers?
Aside from the issues I presented above, experts have also warned against exposure to cyber risks. The Child Online Safety Index declared that around 60 percent of children aged eight to 12 years old are exposed to cyber risks. These risks include cyber bullying, fake news, gaming disorders, privacy issues, online sexual behavior, reputational risks, and others.
How then can we protect our children from the many problems that surround us as we try to navigate this new landscape? We turn to experts for advice and suggestions as we ourselves try to make sense of the changes and challenges we face every day.
To be continued