- Panorama-59 | Fr Jo Paul Kiriyanthan
With today’s hyper-connected society, the phrase “digital babysitting” has become a popular term to describe a parenting practice that employs digital gadgets – tablets, smartphones, television, or computers – to entertain or calm children. While the practice provides easy relief for parents, it also poses serious issues of developmental, emotional, and social impacts on children.
Digital babysitting is the utilization of technology to control or divert children, particularly when attention from parents is scarce. Be it giving a child a phone in a restaurant, playing videos on YouTube to prevent a tantrum, or using learning apps to teach, screens have replaced other more conventional means of interaction such as storytelling, playing outdoors, or talking.
Contemporary parenting is challenging. With so many parents working full-time, keeping the house running, and coping with finances, screens might look like a saviour. They bring immediate calm, keep kids occupied for hours, and sometimes present educational material.
Though screens are not bad in themselves, excessive use can create a chain of effects in children. Too much screen time has been associated with language delays, problem-solving skills, and executive function. Passive viewing doesn’t substitute for active learning that occurs through interaction in the real world. Children spending more time watching screens can have difficulty paying attention, controlling impulses, and regulating emotions.
A second major issue is that of attachment. Human relations, especially between children and their main caregiver, form the basis for emotional development. By always using the screen instead of responsible human interaction, children’s attachment may be weakened. They can feel neglected or emotionally detached, which can result in insecurity, anxiety, or the inability to establish good relationships in adulthood.
Overuse of digital devices can also decrease social interaction, which is vital for the building of empathy, communication skills, and emotional intelligence. Screens can replace precious face-to-face interactions with adults and peers. Additionally, children may become screen-dependent.
Health is also an issue. Excessive screen use is linked to sedentary lifestyle, disturbed sleep patterns, and even obesity. Blue light emitted by screens interferes with melatonin secretion, diminishing the quality of sleep – a vital component for normal growth.
The problem isn’t screens themselves but how they’re being used. Rather than reaching for devices as digital babysitters, parents and teachers can opt for more mindful approaches to screen use. Establishing boundaries, practicing device-free time, involving children in the process of screen use, enabling alternative activities, and modelling healthy practices can result in a more balanced solution.
