Discussion of the Day
Children should have less screen time and more time outside playing
08-Jul-20
I'm a xennial and didn't grow up with social media. And I am so glad about that. Kids today spend too much time looking at a screen, when they should be outside being present and exploring the natural world around them
Comments
  • Yes !!!!
    ·
    • YES I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH THAT
      ·
      • You can deprogram them , just remove idiot box & phone , they will throw a tantrum, but the will either get over it or wont we all wanted stuff we didnt get, and we got over it I think more depends on whether the adults have the backbone to stick to their guns and not back down?
        ·
        • kinda think for this generation, the damage is done. If a kid's under 7 y o then its an easier job to wean them off of too much telly/screen time. But honestly, after 7 yo, it's a free-for-all. till they get the message. Adults gotta be the strongest - unfortunately we all to often are the first to blink.
          ·
          • They should go outside and play around out there
            ·
            • So true nothing like running around outside, getting dirty and having plain old fashioned fun.
              ·
              • Agree.
                ·
                • Definitely agree.
                  ·
                  • Agree
                    ·
                    • Agree
                      ·
                      • Yes children should be outside experiencing the real world - make believe is only part of growing up - how will they know the "truth" much of what they watch is fiction
                        ·
                        • So true
                          ·
                          • Only a geek would ask a question lie this, when has it not been better for kids to play outside, back in your cupboard geek.
                            ·
                            • well wel ,, its only a question not a third world problem
                              ·
                          • We grew up very sheltered, but we did not have a TV, until 1962, Dad taught us board games, Mum gave us cooking lessons, bedtime always came with a book reading from Aesop Fables, that of course if our homework was done, and those days we only had Karo Lamps, a fun weekend started with a family and friends dinner and a game or two of English Football, between us girls and our brothers, Sunday Church at 5.30 followed by brekkie, and a 10 mile hike, and finished with a good hot bath ready for school on Monday, we grew up with manners, and my kids and grandkids have been brought up the same way, Screen time is set by how many stars they earn according to how good they've been with helping around the house, and homework is done. Kids these days have no idea what life is all about, because their parents are hard at work trying to pay their mortgage and feed their families, so kids are given these things so they can be happy that they can amuse themselves
                            ·
                            • I prefer my childhood. At least we used our imagination. Children of today are given every thing and are quickly bored. Parents waste a lot of money on toys when really children need to play out doors and have their parents interact with them more often. Children will have more health issues as they grow up especially with their neck and back. But unfortunately parents are not listening and possibly do not care enough for the health of their children. I am aware they work but there is the weekend so there is no excuse.
                              ·
                              • Agreed!
                                ·
                            • Didn't have it growing up,we made our fun, but its so different now, But they should have more out door activities now.
                              ·
                              • when my kids were very young the ex always used to say that he didnt want them to have a computer, needless to say that didnt last long and you need computer skills for most jobs now. do agree that they kids nowadays are on the computer for far too long
                                ·
                                • There’s such thing as a happy medium. I spent a fair amount of time outdoors, and a lot of time indoors, reading books. (Internet wasn’t really a thing until I was a teenager, and there wasn’t much on TV that interested me.) A lot of the other local kids who did spend all of their time outdoors ended up pregnant teens, shoplifters, addicts ... I should add here that I am “Gen Y” or “Millennial” Here, and that there was also a clear socio-economic effect in my town. I absolutely do NOT believe the same thing would have happened in “Gen X” or earlier times.
                                  ·
                                  • Should spend more time doing family activities
                                    ·
                                    • Children should definitely spend more time outside
                                      ·
                                      • Agree less screen time for children?
                                        ·
                                        • We never had TV, computers, or anything that ran on batteries for that matter. Spent all our time outside.
                                          ·
                                          • Lees time off the computer, not the only place for learning, or relaxing
                                            ·
                                            • Unfortunately the size of blocks of land houses are built on leave very little room for children to play outside.
                                              ·
                                              • absolutely, they need fresh air and get in touch with nature
                                                ·
                                                • Yes
                                                  ·
                                                  • Yes
                                                    ·
                                                    • 100% need more fresh air and less screen time
                                                      ·
                                                      • I never had a computer when I was younger. I was always outside playing with my friends.
                                                        ·
                                                        • Definitely need to get out into the fresh air and sunshine experiencing the joys of nature.
                                                          ·
                                                          • In an ideal world yes, but In our day we didn't have as many perverts & weirdo's .A balance like reading & supervised outdoor fun excursions & some computer etc is great .Parents must make more time for their children
                                                            ·
                                                            • I completely agree. I wanted to say the same thing in my comment, but I got too bogged down and drowned in my own words, haha.
                                                              ·
                                                          • When my kids were growing up had trouble to get them to come inside as they were either playing footy,cricket or other ball games but I know 5imes are different now
                                                            ·
                                                            • Depends on the kid.
                                                              ·
                                                              • Social media isn’t all that social when you cut through the crust.
                                                                ·
                                                                • get back to nature and enjoy the outdoors
                                                                  ·
                                                                  • More time outside playing - most definitely!
                                                                    ·
                                                                    • I definitely agree with that, it’s not only good for their eyes but their minds and bodies to get outside and play.
                                                                      ·
                                                                      • yes to much screen time they need to get outdoors and play
                                                                        ·
                                                                        • Absolutely!
                                                                          ·
                                                                          • absolutely they do
                                                                            ·
                                                                            • Yes definitely. better for them physically and mentally.
                                                                              ·
                                                                              • yes for shore
                                                                                ·
                                                                                • Johana C, you hit the nail on the head, mobile phones and computers, as well as TV, should be restricted, play-time outside encouraged.
                                                                                  ·
                                                                                  • Agree with Johanna.Never had social media in my time.it was home after school,change clothes and homework then play.I did have a paper job after school so that took my time for awhile
                                                                                    ·
                                                                                    • Totally agree with Johana C
                                                                                      ·
                                                                                      • More sunshine, better for their health
                                                                                        ·
                                                                                        • yes they should have more out doors
                                                                                          ·
                                                                                          • If you just take a bit of time to look at the science and the research, it becomes clear that screen time does absolutely nothing to promote healthy mind or body. It doesn’t help kids learn. It doesn’t help them think. Only very structured programmes can help develop their brains, and how many of them use those?
                                                                                            ·
                                                                                            • There needs to be a balance between the two.
                                                                                              ·
                                                                                              • Definitely!
                                                                                                ·
                                                                                                • Yes..It is important that kids go outside and ground themselves in actual reality...
                                                                                                  ·
                                                                                                  • yes they need to play outside
                                                                                                    ·
                                                                                                    • Yes, of course they should be outside more.
                                                                                                      ·
                                                                                                      • When it's a lovely day yes children should go outside to play
                                                                                                        ·
                                                                                                        • why do we only get one point?
                                                                                                          ·
                                                                                                          • I definetly agree.Kids today have too much screen time
                                                                                                            ·
                                                                                                            • Seems to be the baby sitter
                                                                                                              ·
                                                                                                              • It is up to the parents what they think is best for their children.
                                                                                                                ·
                                                                                                                • Kids these days have way to much screen time and not enough face to face socialisation.
                                                                                                                  ·
                                                                                                                  • They need outside play but also supervised screen time.
                                                                                                                    ·
                                                                                                                    • A balanced approach is the answer .
                                                                                                                      ·
                                                                                                                      • Yes absolutely. They need the outdoors. It Was good for us.
                                                                                                                        ·
                                                                                                                        • Children definitely should have a limited screen time and parents need to lead by example. Outside and inside play are both good. Parent awareness and communication during also helps children develop.
                                                                                                                          ·
                                                                                                                          • They definetely need to get out into the fresh air and do more physical exercise
                                                                                                                            ·
                                                                                                                            • Yes, they need to get out into nature and fresh air more, run around and use up some of that excess energy.
                                                                                                                              ·
                                                                                                                              • We're rural and have quite a few power issues. So I have no problem turning off the main power switch and saying the lines are being repaired. 8 hours later lol. "Hey Ma how come the neighbour down the road has power?" Oh they must have a generator. It's not that hard to kick them off the screen. You pay the power, you pay for the device, when they pay they have a say.
                                                                                                                                ·
                                                                                                                                • Yes if they have a backyard.
                                                                                                                                  ·
                                                                                                                                  • yes
                                                                                                                                    ·
                                                                                                                                    • Absolutely they need outdoor time. My children who are now in their mid-30's were always outside playing in the dirt, mud, etc and their immune systems were never challenged. A rarity to find them going to medical appointments for any reason.
                                                                                                                                      ·
                                                                                                                                      • Mental ability may develop through out door Games along with physical fitness
                                                                                                                                        ·
                                                                                                                                        • they should have a time limit
                                                                                                                                          ·
                                                                                                                                          • Yes
                                                                                                                                            ·
                                                                                                                                            • yes need exercise to build healthy inquisitive minds...
                                                                                                                                              ·
                                                                                                                                            • Yes
                                                                                                                                              ·
                                                                                                                                              • Yes
                                                                                                                                                ·
                                                                                                                                                • Should be balanced equally so they have good computer knowledge.
                                                                                                                                                  ·
                                                                                                                                                  • Definitely
                                                                                                                                                    ·
                                                                                                                                                    • Absolutely
                                                                                                                                                      ·
                                                                                                                                                      • No homework at school no kids like its. Its das help for school. They should be put in sports or things they like doing. When i was child was more smart when i didn't do homework. When i got to much homework i go down in school. Kids needed more fun
                                                                                                                                                        ·
                                                                                                                                                        • Growing up in the 50's, we spent every minute we could outside. I couldn't agree more about less screen time for children these days.
                                                                                                                                                          ·
                                                                                                                                                          • I know I will be condemned as some sort of Neanderthal Philistine but children should have very strict limits placed on their screen time. Joining those appallingly ill-named "social media" sites should be banned. They are probably the most Socially Isolating of all. Children are allowed to make "friends" ,a word I use very loosely, with people they have never met, never seen and they really don't know if they are in contact with a real child their own age or some paedophile groomer. Parents, for all their whinging and complaining, simply don't care. Get the children, and yourselves, out of the house and start actually involving yourselves in YOUR children's lives. If you are not prepared to rear your children yourselves then don't have them.
                                                                                                                                                            ·
                                                                                                                                                            • Children should spent more time outside playing than screen time. Exercise and play with other children is important to build their physical strength and practise social skills. Active play can help develop their imagination.
                                                                                                                                                              ·
                                                                                                                                                              • Fresh air , vitamin D this is what kids also need not stuck in front of screens, they need a good balance.
                                                                                                                                                                ·
                                                                                                                                                                • YES
                                                                                                                                                                  ·
                                                                                                                                                                  • Yes they should have more time outside
                                                                                                                                                                    ·
                                                                                                                                                                    • needs to be shared due to the way the future is going
                                                                                                                                                                      ·
                                                                                                                                                                      • A balance of both.
                                                                                                                                                                        ·
                                                                                                                                                                        • Yes they should. Unfortunately we haven't been able to go out as much as we used to the past few months. Hoping this covid situation will clear up soon.
                                                                                                                                                                          ·
                                                                                                                                                                          • Definately - being outside is healthier
                                                                                                                                                                            ·
                                                                                                                                                                            • Agreed
                                                                                                                                                                              ·
                                                                                                                                                                              • Yes definitely
                                                                                                                                                                                ·
                                                                                                                                                                                • yes
                                                                                                                                                                                  ·
                                                                                                                                                                                  • Kids today can't entertain themselves without a PlayStation or the likes.
                                                                                                                                                                                    ·
                                                                                                                                                                                    • It's definitely an issue. Large corporations invest hundreds of millions to make online activities addictive. They are tuned to manipulate our brain in wanting to keep staring at the screens and unfortunately the kids are more vulnerable. I have 2 kids and I recognise that it's a serious issue. The main difficulty is in offering kids something to replace computers. For that to be fun requires my time. I could go boating or surfing with them. But when I'm busy or not in the mood, they have no better choice then to revert back to what's readily available and fun.
                                                                                                                                                                                      ·
                                                                                                                                                                                      • yes totally agree
                                                                                                                                                                                        ·
                                                                                                                                                                                        • All children should have limited time with their screens and spend more time outside ,vitamin D is necessary for the growing health of children
                                                                                                                                                                                          ·
                                                                                                                                                                                          • I totally aggree. I also know from experience that most kids prefer camping with family, to being alone on their computers. In small doses mind you.
                                                                                                                                                                                            ·
                                                                                                                                                                                            • Definitely.
                                                                                                                                                                                              ·
                                                                                                                                                                                              • Should be compulsory, be outside participating in "Fun" with friends.
                                                                                                                                                                                                ·
                                                                                                                                                                                                • Of course they should be outside. My grandkids are limited each day to the amount of screen time they have.
                                                                                                                                                                                                  ·

                                                                                                                                                                                                  No comments
                                                                                                                                                                                                  AboutForumPrivacyUser agreementContact UsBusiness Page