Page 27 - The Regent Digest Volume 12 Issue 27

Medical Corner • Aim for short screen time sessions Get- • Avoid screen time before bed: A

Teenagers need 8-10 hours of sleep
ting up and moving around is important
for your teenage child’s energy levels, de-
can affect how quickly your child falls
velopment, sleep, and overall health and a night. Using screens before bed
wellbeing. Sitting still for too long without a asleep. If your child avoids mobile
break isn’t good for your child. phones, tablets, computer screens or
SCREEN a good idea to encourage them to use • Keep screens out of bedrooms at
TV in the hour before bed, your child is
• When teenagers are using screens, it’s
likely to get to sleep more quickly.
screens in short bursts and to take a break
every 30 minutes. For example, you could
night: If you keep mobile phones
suggest that your child:
TIME • uses a timer to set breaks in sessions lon- and other devices out of your child’s
bedroom at night, your child won’t
ger than 30 minutes
be able to stay up late playing
• makes use of natural breaks – for exam-
games or messaging friends. This
ple, encourage your child to move around
can also stop your child being dis-
when a level in the game finishes.
turbed in the night by notifications,
• Make physical activity part of your messages or calls.
child’s day: Physical activity keeps teen-
n today’s digital era, managing age bodies and minds fit and healthy.
screen time for teenagers is vital Your child needs at least one hour of
I for their overall well-being. Setting moderate physical activity every day.
rules, encouraging short sessions with This might include everyday activities
breaks, and prioritizing physical activity like walking or riding to school, sports like
are key. netball and football, or organised fitness

activities like exercise classes, swimming
Extracurricular activities and face-to- and running.
face socializing complement screen
time management. Maintaining a • Encourage socialising and friendship
screen-free environment before bedtime • how your child can use screens – Even if your child uses social media to
promotes better sleep habits. for example, for making a podcast keep up with friends, it’s good for your

or watching a TEDx talk, but not for child to socialise face to face too. Being
Set rules about screen use
watching epic fail videos. with other people helps your child develop
Rules might cover:
social skills and gives your child a social
• where your child can use screens – for
• how you handle screen time for chil- group to do new things with, especially
example, only in family rooms, not in the
dren of different ages – for example, things that are different from what your
bedroom at night, or not in the car.
there might be some games that your family does.
older child can play only when their
• when your child can use screens – for
younger sibling is out or has gone to
example, mealtimes are free of TV, com- NURSE MARTHA
bed.
puters and phones, or no screen time until SCHOOL NURSE
chores and homework are finished.

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