Samoa is not the same ten years ago; the world is not the same. Our children are growing up in a much more technologically advanced world than we did. The vast array of electronic devices at their fingertips and the number of apps available increase daily. We can’t imagine a world without smartphones, broadband, tablets and computers.

 The advances in technology mean we are the first generation of parents who have to figure out how to limit screen time for children. While digital devices can provide endless hours of entertainment and offer educational content, unlimited screen time can be harmful. It’s not just our children that need monitoring, adults also need help with screen time limits too.

We’ve seen everyone from babies, youth to adults in Samoa dancing to Tik Tok, participating in Facebook videos, have Instagram accounts, WhatsApp and every other social media platform. The world is truly at our fingertips. Do you think technology and the access to it is changing our society and people’s thinking? 

For something that is supposed to connect us all, it’s become more disconnecting. The recommends parents place a reasonable limit on entertainment media. Despite those recommendations, children between the ages of 8 and 18 average 7½ hours of entertainment media per day, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation 2010 study.

Although these are American statistics and might not be the same case as Samoa, we only need to look around when we are in public spaces to notice how we are changing. How Samoa and the way we communicate with each other has changed drastically. Now, more people are on headphones and glued to their screens. Sit at a parking lot of any supermarket, at the market for five minutes even eat at a restaurant and see the changes. We are no longer talking to each other directly but through screens. Adults don’t talk to their children or teenagers while out, everyone seems to be on their own little screens connecting to a world outside the family circle.

Experts say adult should limit screen time outside of work to less than two hours a day. Any time beyond that which you would usually spend on screens should be spent taking part in physical activity. Many parents struggle to impose healthy limits on themselves too. The average adult spends over 11 hours per day behind a screen, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.

Too much screen can be linked to the following according to Christensen.

1. Obesity: The more TV and video your child watches, the greater his or her risk is of becoming overweight. Having a TV or other electronics in a child's bedroom increases this risk as well. Children can also develop an appetite for junk food promoted in ads, as well as overeat while watching on electronics.

2. Irregular sleep: The more time spent watching on a screen, the more likely children are to have trouble falling asleep or have an irregular sleep schedule. Sleep loss can lead to fatigue and increased snacking.

3. Behavioural problems: Elementary students who spend more than two hours a day watching TV, playing video games or using a computer or smartphone are more likely to have emotional, social and attention problems. Also, exposure to video games is linked with an increased possibility of attention problems in children.

4. Impaired academic performance: Elementary students who have TVs or other screens in their bedrooms tend to perform worse on tests than do those who don't have these in their bedrooms. 

5. Violence: Too much exposure to violence through media can desensitize children to violence. As a result, children might learn to accept violent behaviour as a normal way to solve problems.

6. Less time for play: Excessive screen time leaves less time for active, creative play.

We can start monitoring screen time and talk to our children about the importance of sitting less and moving more. A few simple steps to help: 

1. Eliminate background TV: If you're not actively watching a show, turn it off, otherwise it is just background noise.

2. Keep TVs, smartphones and computers out of the bedroom: Children who have electronics in their bedrooms watch more than children who don't have these in their bedrooms. It is easier to monitor websites and screen time by keeping computers and electronics in a common area of the house.

3. Don't eat in front of a screen: Allowing your child to eat or snack in front of electronic devices increases his or her screen time. The habit also encourages mindless munching, which can lead to weight gain.

This is a challenge for all of us, not just children. While we enjoy another peaceful Sunday Samoa, our children are not responsible for their safety and screen time. We are. We can help guide them and I know it’s not easy because we live and work in technology every day. Have a great week ahead!