The short answer
ಸಾರಾಂಶ: 2 ವರ್ಷದೊಳಗಿನ ಮಕ್ಕಳಿಗೆ ಮೊಬೈಲ್/ಟಿವಿ ಬೇಡ. 2 ರಿಂದ 5 ವರ್ಷದ ಮಕ್ಕಳಿಗೆ ದಿನಕ್ಕೆ ಗರಿಷ್ಠ 1 ಗಂಟೆ, ಅದೂ ಪೋಷಕರ ಜೊತೆಯಲ್ಲಿ. ಆಟ, ಕಥೆ ಮತ್ತು ಸಾಕಷ್ಟು ನಿದ್ರೆ ಮಗುವಿನ ಬೆಳವಣಿಗೆಗೆ ಹೆಚ್ಚು ಮುಖ್ಯ.
Where do these numbers come from?
In 2019 the World Health Organization (WHO) published its first guidelines on physical activity, sitting and sleep for children under five. It says screen time is not recommended for children under 2, and for children aged 2 to 4 sedentary screen time should be no more than one hour a day, with "less is better".[1] WHO's message was simple: to grow up healthy, children need to sit less and play more.[3]
In 2021 the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) issued guidelines for Indian families. It recommends no screen exposure for children under 2 and a maximum of one hour of supervised screen time a day for children aged 2 to 5.[2]
Why does it matter?
The IAP guidelines note that excessive screen time is linked with obesity, sleep problems and concerns about development, and that early and excessive screen use (more than 1 to 2 hours a day) is common among Indian children.[2]
There is also a simple time problem. Every hour on a screen is an hour not spent running, building, drawing, talking or sleeping. WHO recommends that children aged 3 to 4 get at least 180 minutes of physical activity spread across the day, and 10 to 13 hours of good-quality sleep.[1]
Is all screen time the same?
No. Watching a short, calm programme together and talking about it is very different from a child scrolling videos alone. WHO encourages that, when young children are sitting still, the time is spent on things like reading and storytelling with a caregiver.[1]
Practical tips that work at home
- Make meals screen-free. Talk about the day instead. Children learn many new words at the dinner table.
- Keep screens out of the bedroom and switch them off well before bedtime.
- Don't use the phone to calm every tantrum. Try a hug, a walk outside or a song first.
- Set a clear routine, e.g. one short programme after an evening walk, and stick to it.
- Watch together and ask questions: "What happened next? Why was he sad?"
- Be a role model. Children copy what we do. Keep your own phone away during family time.
- Have a "boredom box" of crayons, blocks, old magazines, clay and picture books ready to go.
At Gurukula Kids, our days are built around play, art and craft, rhymes, stories and outdoor activities, the kind of hands-on learning these guidelines encourage.
References
- World Health Organization (2019). Guidelines on physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep for children under 5 years of age. Geneva: WHO. www.who.int
- Gupta P, Shah D, et al. Indian Academy of Pediatrics Guidelines on Screen Time and Digital Wellness in Infants, Children and Adolescents. Indian Pediatrics. 2022;59(3):235-244. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- World Health Organization news release (24 April 2019). "To grow up healthy, children need to sit less and play more." www.who.int
This article is for general information for parents and is not a substitute for advice from your child's doctor. Government admission rules can change; please confirm the latest rules for your academic year.