Guidelines on child's use of screen devices

Amount of sleep, eye health and posture among concerns of overuse of gadgets

Filipino children in Cubao, Quezon City, Manila, playing games on screen devices on March 27. The use of mobile devices can cause strains from a misalignment between a student's line of sight and his hand position.
Filipino children in Cubao, Quezon City, Manila, playing games on screen devices on March 27. The use of mobile devices can cause strains from a misalignment between a student's line of sight and his hand position. PHOTO: REUTERS
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One of the biggest issues modern schools and parents have to encounter is how to manage students' electronic use.

One common guideline advises that students aged five to 18 should not be spending more than two hours per day engaged in electronic media for entertainment (such as television, computer use and seated games). Yet, the recommendations are commonly being exceeded and have even been challenged as being "virtually impossible" for students to meet.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on April 30, 2018, with the headline Guidelines on child's use of screen devices. Subscribe