Fahmida Choonara | fchoonara@radioislam.co.za
23 May 2023 | 18:00 CAT
2 min read

Photo Credit: Informed Families

Screen time includes watching television, using an iPad, computers, cellphones, gaming etc.; too much of this dramatically affects children and adults. There have been ongoing studies regarding ‘screen time’ and how it disrupts the brain, mentally & physically.

Today, children are so lost in their devices that they barely pay any attention to their surroundings – like the story of the bus driver who had a medical episode while driving the school bus, it was concluded that only one student, ‘the boy who saved the day’ had not been using a mobile device. Every other child on that bus was distracted by their device.

We can learn from the story about how much we miss out on just by being so focused on a device, game, etc.

Children who spend too much time on screens are less focused and find no joy in other physical activities.

Adults, too, are guilty of this. After a day’s work, many of us make the time to watch a movie or a series of multiple episodes on streaming apps like Facebook and TikTok, which leads to a lack of sleep.

Screen time overloads the sensory system, fractures attention, and depletes mental reserves – this, in turn, causes explosive and aggressive behaviour and poor focus. One’s internal and external environments are disrupted.

Screen time has other health impacts, like bad posture and the cause of stiff neck etc.

We can limit screen use by implementing much more meaningful uses for our time:

1. Engage in family time-talk with your spouse and kids more.
2. Get active – exercise, take walks or cycle.
3. Get crafty – bake something exciting with your children, or make crafts.
4. Relax – without any technology, unwind and relax your mind, allowing the entire body to relax.
5. Opt for books – read books or perhaps the translation of the Qur’an. Spend your time wisely.