The Department of Health recommends that parents should avoid raising their children with all kinds of screens. Especially for children under 2 years of age, it may result in delayed development. and may have abnormal vision problems in the future Parents should invite their children to do activities together as a family. To promote the good development of children
Dr. Atchara Nithipinyasakul Acting Director-General of the Department of Health said that on the 2nd Thursday of October The World Health Organization (World Health Organization, WHO) has designated World Sight Day (World Sight Day), which this year falls on October 12, 2023, in order to encourage populations around the world. There has been awareness of the campaign to prevent and restore blindness and low vision. Including other eye problems, the Department of Health is concerned about young children under 2 years of age because parents Parents often leave their children with technological media such as mobile phones, tablets, or watch television all day. In order to prevent the child from being stubborn, naughty, and crying, which will have negative consequences, especially regarding delayed development. Communication problems including vision problems in the future
Dr. Atchara Said further: In the past, the Department of Health has driven the project for Thai children with good eyesight since 2016 by the Department of Health, Department of Medicine, Health Service System Development Committee (Service Plan), Eye Branch, Royal College of Ophthalmologists of Thailand. National Health Security Office Ministry of Education Department of Local Administration Promotion and Bangkok Set a goal for Grade 1 students to have their eyesight screened by the classroom teacher. and confirmed by public health officials If you suspect abnormal vision, you will be referred to a hospital where an ophthalmologist will examine you and receive glasses. Eye screening data in 2016 found that 11,000 Thai children had abnormal vision. In 2017, 8,687 Thai children were found to have abnormal vision. And in 2018, 9,976 children had abnormal vision, most of whom were nearsighted. and astigmatism
However, children from birth to 3 years are the most important age period. in learning Because a child's brain is at its highest development, the surrounding environment will act as a stimulus to promote early brain development. If children are allowed to get too close to these media without setting a time to watch or choose the media, inappropriate It will have negative effects in many ways. 1. Communication: Slow speaking, unclear speech, lack of creativity. And staring at the screen for a long time can have a negative effect on the eyes, such as causing nearsightedness, dry eyes, and the body will not be strong, get tired easily, lack movement and exercise as it should, or may result in being a lazy child. 3. Emotionally, unable to control emotions. Because children cannot distinguish between the world of the internet and reality, are easily irritated, impatient, do not know how to wait, children lack concentration, do not concentrate or intend to do any activity, and 4. Behavioral aspects: they are aggressive, naughty, short attention span, have autistic-like behavior, are stubborn, resist the world and are highly private.
The Department of Health therefore recommends limiting the time for using appropriate technological media. By children under 2 years of age, avoid using all types of media with screens. (except for video chat) For children ages 2-5, limit screen time. It should not exceed 1 hour per day and you should choose a quality program or application that is appropriate for your age. Parents and guardians of children should avoid Using screen media to keep children calm or stop crying and turn to spend time building relationships together as a family Because children's good development begins with small things that they learn together. Let your children play, learn, and embrace and show love among each other as a family. To promote the better development of children.
Source: Thai News Agency