Children spend hours on their mobiles from infancy. Why is their addiction not the fault of the schools, but mainly the parents?
The days when the phone in primary schools was mainly used to call parents and play Tetris are long gone. Nowadays, the phone, and with it social networks, are an integral part of the day, not only for adults but also for children. The vast majority of schoolchildren use their phones to communicate with classmates and friends, to scroll through social media content and to play games on various online platforms such as Roblox. Every day, we see the same picture: a group of boys gathering in the playground or bus stop after school, and instead of playing ping-pong or 'hitting the ground running', they stare at screens and don't even talk.
The issue of excessive screen use among school-age children and its consequences is already being addressed not only by teachers but also by the state. However, few mention that a complete ban on phones in schools will not improve the situation if a child has unrestricted access to screens at home. Most of our habits come from the family in which we grow up, so it can be admitted that children's unhealthy relationship with their phones is at least partly the fault of their parents.
Parents of children aged six months to five years have been looking at how parents of children aged between six months and five years old deal with technology, in partnership with the O2 Foundation . Thousands of parents from all walks of life across the country took part in the STEM survey.
The results show that the problem really starts at home.
What does it look like in Czech households?
More than half of infants regularly look at screens. Although they spend less time on them than children aged 1-2, still a third of them spend at least half an hour a day in front of a screen. Disturbing trends can also be seen in children aged three to five. In this group, 68% of children spend more than one hour a day in front of screens. These results are in direct contradiction to the experts' recommendations.
According to Barbara Richtrová, chairwoman of the Association of Clinical Speech Therapists of the Czech Republic, children under three should not spend any time in front of screens. According to the expert, preschool children can watch screens for a maximum of 40 minutes a day, especially when accompanied by a parent who can answer questions and add information while they watch.
Kamila Kolmanová, one of the founders of the non-profit organisation Raise Your Head, emphasises that children under two years of age do not take anything new away from screens because at that age they cannot yet translate what they see into reality. This is why it is important for the parent to be present when watching. However, research shows that 37% of children are left alone in front of the screen. This does not necessarily mean that the child is unsupervised. The parent may be in the same room, they just may not be paying attention to what the child is doing. In fact, in half of the households, the TV is running as a background.
It is the regulation of content that is key for young children. "The content should be calm, slow, kind, without fast editing and flickering, so that the child's brain can process it," emphasises Richter. Kolman agrees. According to her, there is a significant difference between watching shows like Večerníček and fast, nonsensical videos on TikTok or Instagram. The survey shows that a quarter of children watch similar videos. However, the vast majority watch cartoons, soap operas and children's shows.
The survey also revealed an interesting discrepancy. In households with an older sibling, young children spend more time in front of the screen, but at the same time, these households are more likely to set clear time limits. The presence of an older sibling also affects the content watched - children are more likely to watch films or educational videos than only children.
Why are we talking about limiting screen time at all? The consequences of overexposure to screens are more visible today than ever before.
Modern technology is creating new diseases
The negative impact of screens on mental health and self-esteem is talked about often and openly. But other, more serious consequences are emerging in young children.
According to clinical speech therapist Barbara Richtrová, speech therapy clinics are full of children who cannot express themselves or form sentences. "Young children learn to speak primarily in direct communication with their parents and people in their environment. They observe facial expressions, respond to the tone of voice and gradually imitate new sounds and words. However, if they spend a large part of their time in front of a screen, these natural communication situations are significantly reduced. Digital content may be attractive to a child, but it cannot replace real dialogue, which is essential for language development," she explains.
Extreme exposure to screens, especially in infants, can lead to the development of pseudo-autism (so-called virtual autism). This condition involves symptoms identical to the actual diagnosis. The most common symptoms include poor language skills, limited ability or inability to make eye contact, lack of social connections, and inability to engage in communication and respond to other people.
Experts point out that lacking language skills can also negatively affect a child's mental well-being. The inability to express wishes or feelings can lead to frustration.
The first three to four years of life are crucial for development. Visual and auditory stimuli from screens are not enough for proper development. The child must be part of the communication, because language develops primarily in interaction with people. Without it, there is a risk of delayed development of speech and other cognitive functions.
The good news is that pseudo-autism can be prevented. Unlike a true diagnosis, its symptoms can be alleviated or eliminated altogether. All you have to do is see a specialist and follow his or her recommendations.
The way to a balanced use of screens
Unnecessary criticism will not help in building healthier habits. Moreover, the survey shows that 84% of respondents have not received any information from pediatricians about the impact of technology on children's brains. It is important not only to raise awareness of the problem, but also to offer solutions. At the end of the day, when it comes to excessive phone use, we all have butter on our heads.
That's why Lift Up Your Head has created a children's digital health top ten to help parents find a way out.
The key is open communication. Set clear rules. Decide when screens are used, for how long and what content is allowed. Choose calm and educational content without violence or distractions. Ask your child what interests them. Open conversation helps prevent problems and build trust.
It is also important to create screen-free spaces - for example, the dining room or bedroom. Experts stress the importance of play and time spent together. Let children play without distractions such as TV and be with them. It's also a good step to leave screens out of the evening routine. Cell phones and tablets can't replace face-to-face communication. They may make learning more enjoyable, but they won't teach a child to react to situations or manage emotions. For that, a child needs a parent. Read to your children instead. Firstly, it can be another way to spend time together; secondly, a moment of quiet opens up space for the child to process the day.
Think also about your own relationship with technology. Children mimic their parents' behaviour, so it's important to be mindful of how you handle mobiles in their presence. If your child sees that you use technology in moderation, they'll pick up the habit too.
As it says at the end of the Ten Commandments, "Let's set an example of responsible use."
