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22/05/2012
Screens Are Harming Children, Psychologist Says
Parents who let their children watch screens too much are "neglecting" them, according to a psychologist.
Dr Aric Sigman said parents should restrict "screen time" much like salt intake, or they would risk "benign neglect".
Speaking at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health’s annual conference in Glasgow later today, Dr Sigman will argue that excessive screen use is linked to Type 2 diabetes and heart disease and may even be changing children’s brains as they develop.
Brain scanning tests have shown that there are differences between the brains of gamers and non-gamers – but scientists do not know for sure yet whether these differences occur as a direct result of spending time in front of a screen.
Shadow public health minister Diane Abbott, joined her voice to Dr Sigman’s calls.
She said: "By 2025, nearly half of men and over a third of women will be obese, so we've got to start helping and empowering parents to do the right thing."
Dr Sigman will say today that children have access to an average of five screens in the home and often use more than one at once.
He said: "Whether children or adults are formally 'addicted' to screen technology or not, many of them overuse technology and have developed an unhealthy dependency on it."
He believes toddlers should spend little or no time watching screens up to the age of three, then four-seven year-olds should have a maximum of one and a half hours, while children older than seven but younger than 18 should not be allowed to use screens for more than two hours a day.
A Department of Health spokesman said under-fives should spend as little time sitting still as possible and parents should encourage children to be physically active.
(NE)
Dr Aric Sigman said parents should restrict "screen time" much like salt intake, or they would risk "benign neglect".
Speaking at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health’s annual conference in Glasgow later today, Dr Sigman will argue that excessive screen use is linked to Type 2 diabetes and heart disease and may even be changing children’s brains as they develop.
Brain scanning tests have shown that there are differences between the brains of gamers and non-gamers – but scientists do not know for sure yet whether these differences occur as a direct result of spending time in front of a screen.
Shadow public health minister Diane Abbott, joined her voice to Dr Sigman’s calls.
She said: "By 2025, nearly half of men and over a third of women will be obese, so we've got to start helping and empowering parents to do the right thing."
Dr Sigman will say today that children have access to an average of five screens in the home and often use more than one at once.
He said: "Whether children or adults are formally 'addicted' to screen technology or not, many of them overuse technology and have developed an unhealthy dependency on it."
He believes toddlers should spend little or no time watching screens up to the age of three, then four-seven year-olds should have a maximum of one and a half hours, while children older than seven but younger than 18 should not be allowed to use screens for more than two hours a day.
A Department of Health spokesman said under-fives should spend as little time sitting still as possible and parents should encourage children to be physically active.
(NE)
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09 October 2012
Experts Urge Limiting Screen Time For Children
Experts have called for the amount of time children spend in front of screens to be limited in an effort to stave off development and health problems. Leading psychologist Dr Aric Sigman says children of all ages are watching more screen media than ever, and starting earlier.
Experts Urge Limiting Screen Time For Children
Experts have called for the amount of time children spend in front of screens to be limited in an effort to stave off development and health problems. Leading psychologist Dr Aric Sigman says children of all ages are watching more screen media than ever, and starting earlier.
23 May 2013
Charities Highlight Rise In Children Abusing Children
Children’s charities have warned that an increasing number of children are being abused by other children, adding that their helplines have seen a growing number of calls from children about sexual abuse.
Charities Highlight Rise In Children Abusing Children
Children’s charities have warned that an increasing number of children are being abused by other children, adding that their helplines have seen a growing number of calls from children about sexual abuse.
19 April 2012
Children's Society Warns Benefit Changes Could Leave Children Hungry
A children’s charity has warned that plans to simplify the welfare system could result in thousands of England's poorest children missing out on free school meals. The meals are linked to low-income benefits that are among those merging into a single Universal Credit in 2013.
Children's Society Warns Benefit Changes Could Leave Children Hungry
A children’s charity has warned that plans to simplify the welfare system could result in thousands of England's poorest children missing out on free school meals. The meals are linked to low-income benefits that are among those merging into a single Universal Credit in 2013.
15 November 2012
Factors Used To Measure Child Poverty To Expand
Factors used to measure child poverty could change to include family breakdown, drug addiction, debt and education results, ministers say. While recent figures showed fewer children in poverty, this was largely because falling wages have narrowed the gap between the poorest and average earners.
Factors Used To Measure Child Poverty To Expand
Factors used to measure child poverty could change to include family breakdown, drug addiction, debt and education results, ministers say. While recent figures showed fewer children in poverty, this was largely because falling wages have narrowed the gap between the poorest and average earners.
26 September 2003
One-in-five children support poor parents, says survey
The tables are turning on the nation's thirty somethings, as they prepare to fork out to bolster their parents' financial future.
One-in-five children support poor parents, says survey
The tables are turning on the nation's thirty somethings, as they prepare to fork out to bolster their parents' financial future.
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