Parents in the East Midlands urged to curb their childrens' screen time this summer
A new report's revealed 65% of parents have concerns about their child’s phone use and the impact on their mental health.
Experts in the East Midlands are urging parents to monitor their children's screen time this summer holidays.
They're speaking out as global study of more than 10,000 parents shows nearly two-thirds (60%) are worried about their child’s social media apps and smartphone use- with the impact on socialising, mental health and body image being at the forefront of concerns.
The average age a child gets their first smartphone is now just 11-years-old, yet more than half of parents regret handing over a smartphone to their child at such a young age, wishing they had waited longer.
The negative impact of social media apps and smartphone use is being highlighted by parents with almost half claiming a mobile phone has changed their child’s personality, with a third claiming their child has body image issues due to phones.
The research also shows two thirds (65%) of parents have concerns about their child’s phone use and the impact on their mental health, attention span or social confidence.
Dr Sanjiv Nichani is a paediatrician in Leicester and a member of Health Professionals for Safer Screens. He says:
"For 6-10 year olds during weekdays, they should have 1-2 hours of recreational screen time and 2 hours on weekends.
"For 11-17 year olds, they should have up to 2 hours on weekdays and up to 3 hours at the weekend.
"This should be the rule in the summer holidays as well.
"When families are out together, they should not have mobile phones, when they're having meals together they should not have mobiles, and when they're in the car travelling together, mobile phones should be put away.
"This will only work if the family works as a unit. It's not about stopping, it's about moderation."