Let’s rethink screen time

Pause the Screen, Build Their Dreams: A call to Tackle an Escalating Crisis
By Dr. Krist Ewe.

I went for a run, my weekend scene,
And couldn’t help but notice another’s routine.
Parents sipping their coffee, watching their children play,
But something else heartbreaking caught my eye that day.

An adult sat on a bench to the left,
Striking keys swiftly, the sound of notifications checked.
A child sat to the right, with an iPad so bright,
Unaware of the other children playing in the sunlight.

As a paediatrician, I’ve seen children fall,
Children so sick, within the hospital wall.
A bloodstream infection, yet still glued to the screen,
Distracted at a cost, in a world unseen.
Parents felt helpless, their guidance adrift,
As the screen’s bright glow caused a painful rift.
In that moment, I saw the silent toll,
Of a glowing screen taking control.

In the glow of the screen, our children sit,
Eyes wide and bright, in that digital pit.
But what’s the cost? Can we see the toll,
On young minds, bodies, and growing souls?

6-8 hours a day, screens hold sway,
In the US alone, it’s the norm, they say.
But here Down Under, the guidelines plead,
For less screen time, for growing needs.

But then came COVID, with all its might,
And screens became the source of light.
84 minutes more, each day we’d see,
A rise of 52%, across land and sea.
School closures, isolation’s hand,
Brought screens to the forefront, across the land.

A child so young, a mind so pure,
Yet in Malaysia, my hometown, 90% under two endure,
The flicker, the flash, the colours so grand,
But at what cost? Do we really understand?

In Singapore’s streets, the numbers climb,
With screens at every stop and time. 65% myopic by Primary Six,
The screens, they play their cruel tricks.
Development delayed, attention lost,
The price we pay, but at what cost?

Obesity knocks on the door unseen,
23% risk, the studies deem.
For every two-hour daily dose,
The health of our children takes a heavy loss.

Sleep, the refuge, the rest they need,
31% suffer, when screens take the lead.
Insomnia looms, the nights grow thin,
And yet the glow continues to win.

But hope exists, it’s in our hands,
To break the grip of digital strands.
The Australian call is clear and bright,
One hour a day, let that be the light.
Two hours max for those who’ve grown,
And for the youngest, no screen be shown.

From screen time to “quality” screen time, they say,
But is that really the only way?
Co-viewing, they say, is where it starts,
A chance to bond, a way to be smart.
Engage with them, don’t just let them be,
Watch together, explore what they see.
Ask them questions, dig deep within,
“What did you notice? What made you grin?”
Discuss the story, the plot, the theme,
Help them navigate this digital dream.

Yes, the glow can fade, and the day can win,
If we start today, the change can begin.
For every hour reduced, a brighter hue,
Our children’s futures, refreshed anew.

Should we just remove the "screen," to find true quality?
It’s a question that rests with both you and me.
What we model, our children embrace,
If we’re glued to screens, they’ll follow our pace.

Quality time is more than a phrase,
It’s the moments we build, the paths we raise.
In laughter shared, in lessons learned,
In values instilled, in respect earned.
As we dim the glow of the screen’s bright light,
Our children will flourish, their futures bright.

With more attention, movement, and restful sleep,
A stronger, happier family, the community we seek.
Aggression fades, and irritability too,
Anxiety and depression, we’ll bid adieu.
By choosing presence, in every way,
We shape tomorrow, starting today.

#parenting #parentsupport #resilience #education #teaching #mindset #EmotionalIntelligence #emotioncoaching