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Is Your Child Sleepy All the Time

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Is Your Child Sleepy All the Time? Too Much Screen Time Could Be the Reason

The good old days when parents would read their kids to sleep are now replaced with tabs and smartphones. It is a lot easier to slip them an iPad. Little do we realize, extended screen time is harming your child. The next time you wonder why your child is always busy, look at their bedtime ritual.
Children are now spending more hours staring at digital screens. From computer screens, TVs, tablets to smartphones, all that screen time is taking a toll on their sleeping habits and their well-being. Here's what you can do about it.
Excess Screen Time and Sleeping Habits
A study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 2018 revealed that children spending more than 2 hours a day staring at screens performed poorly in language and thinking tests. Those who spent more than 7 hours a day using screens had low critical and analytical thinking power. Children need good sleeping practices for healthy brain and body development. How does screen time affect sleeping habits in children?
1. Blue light from digital screens inhibit melatonin, which is a sleep hormone.
2. Screen time before bed can stimulate your child and keep them awake longer.
3. Keeps them awake and alert for longer periods of time.
4. Delayed sleep time leads to extended wake up time and physical exhaustion throughout the day.
What can parents do?

1. Monitor Screen time: You can set curfews and bedtimes and follow it strictly. Setting use limits that will ensure screen time is restricted for a specific few hours in a day is also quite useful. Mobile tracker apps like PhoneTracker.com come with built-in features that notifies you when an allotted screen time is exceeded on a connected device.
2. Bedtime routine: Follow a strict bedtime routine and be a good example in the habit. This will help cultivate discipline in your child.
3. Track Screen Use: Phone trackers help you track how long devices in the house have been used. Many of these mobile tracker free apps and websites even let you track browsing history easily.
Bottom Line
Children need a good night's sleep to be healthy and active throughout the day. Children aged between 3 and 5 years need 11 to 13 hours of sleep. Kids of 5 to 12 years of age need about 10 to 11 hours of sleep, while teenagers need 8 to 10 hours of sleep. Reduced screen time also ensures that your child's internet activity is slightly safer.