Healthy Digital Balanced Diet

Healthy Digital Balanced Diet
Jun 13, 2018
Screen time especially for young people has dramatically increased over the past decade. It is an undeniable fact that the digital mediated interactions have evolved as part of our existence. The reality of an individual’s media-savvy presence and being able to communicate effectively screen to screen, has increasingly become an important skill in the workplace.
 
In this digital age, parents worry or are perhaps confused about the impact on the screen time to the children’s mental, social, emotional, physical wellbeing. This technology concerns started sometime in 1900’s, when parents were worried about the effect of the cinema to the children and then the introduction of television in 1950’s. I remember growing up in this era when going to the movie theatre twice a year was a treat and only a few owned a television! Even so, Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in 1964, wrote a poem (Oompa-Loompa’s song) about the danger of Television:
 
We’ve watched them gaping at the screen
They loll and slop and lounge about
They stare until their eyes pop out
They sit and stare and stare and sit
Until they’re hypnotized by it…
 
Roald Dahl’s poem more than fifty years later continue to resonate with parents who worry about the impact of screen time on their children’s wellbeing, especially as readily a disposable and accessible digital gadget such as smart phones, laptop, tablets and school computers escalate swiftly. To watch educational or recreational programmes and to engage in social and interactive digital media has increased as part of the daily routines. It’s becoming noticeable in restaurants (or in the park) nowadays that while waiting to be served families each have their own IPad or Smartphones heads down captivated by their own screens in silence, sometimes by the sounds of the “Monkey Banana Dance”, “Wheels in the Bus” and other nursery songs or “Roblox”,“Minecraft” play in the background. As Roald Dahl’s TV screen poem continues…  
 
Oh yes, we know it keeps them still
They don’t climb out the window sill
They never fight or kick or punch
They leave you free to cook the lunch
And wash the dishes in the sink—
But did you ever stop to think
To wonder just exactly what
This does to your beloved tot…
 
Experts and researchers have studied these issues for almost twenty years. Some have indicated that increase use of screen time may have some negative effect to children and recent studies suggested positive impact on children’s well-being. These conflicting, confusing studies have shown that technology world in general can be beneficial and/or detrimental.  However, as a parent, there are some common-sense conclusions that can help us inform our children’s technology usage
 
Positive opportunities of technology for School-age children and Teenagers
  • Access to diverse information and knowledge
  • Allow children to work independently at their own pace
  • A source of advice and professional support for young people e.g. Childline Malaysia
  • Provide peer support. Some teenagers find solace talking to their on-line friends in time of family conflict or challenges
  • Encourage social connection. Playing interactive games can foster team spirit and friendship. It’s amusing to watch teenagers giggling, having fun with friends via social media, such as Snapchat, Instagram, Musical.ly etc.
  • Help families and friends across the globe maintain connection and exchange photos
  • Some games like Pokémon Go influences children to go outdoors and Minecraft can help focus and calm kids on the autism spectrum
  • Promote social inclusion for those who feel excluded. e.g. gay, lesbian, support groups   
Some Risks:
  • Screen time can screen off family bonding
  • Unsafe, inappropriate and inaccurate content and contacts. Eg. cyber bullying, cyber sexual grooming (CSG) risk
  • Negative effect on sleep
  • Stops person to person interaction
Tune in next month to learn more on : Hints for healthy digital balanced diet: School age and Teenagers



Malou Bromley, our Nexus Whole School Counsellor was the guest speaker on Stress Management in the Australian National Leaders' Summit, an initiative organised by the Malaysian Students’ Council of Australia, held in KDU. One of the student leaders who organised the event was our former learner Kenny Ng.
 
It was an interactive gathering which covered issues concerning parental pressures, healthy/unhealthy stress and the impact of culture, family and technology on stress and how to get through it.


For further information or for any parental related concerns you can contact Malou Bromley:
bromley.m@nexus.edu.my or +60 3 8889 3868
Register Now!
To know more about Nexus and our curricula, or to visit the school, register now and our Admissions team will be in touch!


Sign Up Now
You may also be interested:
Sound Cheque Interview
Jul 18, 2023
Sound Cheque Interview By: Shiwoo Choi, Features Editor, Learners Bulletin
Read More

Warhammer Tournament
Jul 18, 2023
Read More

Apple Distinguished School
Dec 22, 2022
Nexus recognised once again as an Apple Distinguished School for 2022 to 2025
Read More

Explore Nexus
Learn more about our school