Why is screen time a problem?

The first published official tip encourages parents to keep their children away from their phones during meals and at bedtime.

Here's the latest report from the Chief Medical Officers of Health and the debate around screen time.

– What does the report suggest?

According to the official recommendations of the largest British doctors, parents should force children to put their phones before bedtime and meals to encourage better sleep and more family time.

It also suggests parents to educate their children to use their devices safely – for example, by putting them aside while crossing roads and taking regular breaks after several hours of use. 39, a screen.

The board encourages parents to talk to their children about sharing photos and information online, how it can sometimes be handled, and to remind them never to badume that their children will be happy to be able to share their photos online.

It also invites parents and children to take advantage of screen time monitoring tools to monitor their usage habits.

– Why is the screen time a problem?

The impact of screen time on sleep has long been debated; research suggests that long periods of viewing a screen can disrupt the quality of sleep.

However, many argue that the addictive nature of mobile devices is the biggest threat to good quality sleep. This is why medical officials urge parents and children to leave their appliances outside the bedroom.

Concerns were also expressed about the negative impact of the Internet and social media on health and well-being, particularly among youth.

Cyberbullying, online predators, harbadment and disturbing content have all been identified as dangers for children online, experts warning of the impact on mental health of exposure to such problems , especially when it is badociated with lack of sleep and lack of exercise are also part of excessive screen time habits.

– So everyone should use fewer screens?

Chief Medical Officers of Health recognize that time spent online can be "extremely beneficial" for children and youth in terms of learning opportunities and skills development.

However, they argue that a precautionary approach is needed to better guide children who reap these benefits and are potentially exposed to damaging content and scenarios.

– What are technology companies doing in response?

Under increasing pressure from lawmakers around the world, social media and technology giants are beginning to improve security measures on their platforms.

In the past year, both Apple and Google have introduced screen time monitoring tools on their smartphones that allow parents to track the amount of time their kids spend on their phones.

These features also allow users to set time limits for specific applications, blocking their access after the specified time has elapsed.