Songs For Littles.
Cocomelon.
The Wiggles.
If you don’t have toddlers or children running riot in your home, these words would mean nothing to you. As a mother juggling multiple roles, tasks and demands from two adorable yet cranky kids, let me tell you, these videos are my lifelines. Screen time for children is a controversial subject and here I am, guilty as charged, of sneaking in some solace while my children dance to “Wheels on the bus” for the umpteenth time.
This week, a few reports have caught my eye, inspired a guilt trip, made me question my parenting skills and sent me down a rabbit hole. Here in the UAE, experts are raising alarm about “virtual autism”, a direct consequence of unregulated screen time for children. Doctors and parents are worried that excessive screen time is causing autism-like symptoms in young children.
Meanwhile, Sweden’s Public Health Agency has issued new guidelines advising parents to keep screens away from toddlers entirely. Sweden wants a blanket ban on screen time for children under 2 years. Once again, the guideline is a warning for parents who are letting their children enjoy their favorite shows in exchange for some “me time”.
There’s more. Australia wants children to put down smartphones and get some outdoor playtime. The government wants to ban children from using social media altogether. Another report suggests that YouTube will stop recommending videos to teenagers that promote a certain body type, a fitness level or physical features, after experts warned such content could be harmful if viewed repeatedly.
How do I view all of this? These are necessary measures to fight the evil now barking at our doorstep. But can you impose a blanket ban on screens for your children and go about your day?
Hear me out.
There is a remarkable difference in how generation Alpha is growing up. Their adoption of technology is quick and intuitive. They can outsmart a smartphone in seconds. Siri, Alexa and Google are their mates. And they know how to negotiate their screen time.
As a millennial, I shudder to think what would happen if I got angry with my parents for sending a half-charged tablet in my school bag. Raise you hand if your child has taunted you about this?
I shudder at the thought of about spending my adolescence on social media. I shudder at the thought of being sent to extra classes after school just so I wouldn’t ask for more screen time. Sadly, this is the reality of childhood in 2024. Screens are everywhere and unavoidable. And parents have no time to ban them.
In 2024, schools are trying to churn out future-ready students who are ready to take on AI chatbots in the job market. Parents are trying their best to meet the needs of these tech natives while fighting their own limitations. Open social media and you’ll see horrifying testimonials about excessive screen time. Yet, most educational institutions want students to know how to be “digital-first”.
What are parents to do? As childcare gets more expensive, new mothers globally are being forced to head back into the workforce against their will. As the default caregiver, we are trying to do it all. Workplaces are yet to fully adapt to the needs of working parents. Between meeting deadlines, battling traffic, planning nutritious meals, organizing playdates, and finally sleeping, where is the time to be self-critical?
So, judge me all you want but that little bit of screen time is my savior at the end of the day.
