The comments come after the release by the UK’s chief medical officers of guidance for parents on how to manage the use of devices such as mobile phones by their children.
Dr Susan Turnbull, Jersey’s medical officer of health, said: ‘While the psycho-physical impact of how children are using devices and what they are looking at is a growing cause for concern, it is important to remember that the focus shouldn’t be on the length of screen time but what they are looking at.’
She added: ‘We have to remember that increased screen-time use is not in itself a universally bad thing. But because younger people’s online and offline lives are becoming harder to separate, the key thing parents need to do is teach them to be more resilient when using social media, as well as how to be more discerning in what they choose to look at.’
Among the eight pointers which were released this week, one says that parents should not allow children to take phones or other electronic devices into their bedrooms or use them during mealtimes.
The guidelines come days after a report by the Commons Science and Technology Select Committee flagged a lack of high-quality research into the effects of screen time on young people, including studies that explored the impact of particular uses of screens.
Meanwhile, parents and carers were told to tell children not to look at screens when crossing the road.
Philip Blake, Jersey’s road safety officer, said: ‘What you often see is someone giving a quick glance to see if any cars are coming before they go back to being completely engrossed by the phone as they cross the road.
‘I feel like I am stating the obvious sometimes, but crossing the road is something which deserves our full attention.’
The advice for parents and carers from the UK health officers includes:
– Make sure children get enough good-quality sleep. Phones should be left outside bedrooms when it is bedtime.
– Talk about sharing photos and information online, and how photos and words are sometimes manipulated.
– Make sure you and your children are aware of and abide by their school’s policy on screen time.
– Children should take a break after a couple of hours sitting or lying down using a screen.
– Advise children to put their screens away while crossing the road or doing an activity that needs their full attention.
– Talk with your children about using screens and what they are watching. A change in behaviour can be a sign they are distressed – make sure they know they can always speak to an adult if they feel uncomfortable with screen or social
media use.
– Consider screen-free meal times so you can have face-to-face conversations, with adults giving their full attention to children.
– Try using features on some devices and platforms to keep track of time spent looking at screens or on social media.
