Smartphones and tablets, small screens, big risks
There are those who call the new generations "digital natives". A term that refers to the ease that minors have today to manage devices such as computers, tablets and smartphones. Especially these last two have become one of the devices most used by the smallest of the house and those who spend more and more time.
Vision problems, addiction to new technologies or exposure to dangers in the network. These three points are only three consequences of the abuse of smartphones and tablets. Now, from the Children's Hospital Medical Center of Cincinnati it warns of another risk more: the increase of the cases of overweight and obesity.
Growth of sedentary lifestyle
While in the past computers and other screens were fixed, now smartphones and tablets offer mobile devices that children can use anywhere. While in the past a minor when leaving the house had no opportunity to continue practicing leisure with these technologies, now it is possible to take these devices wherever you go.
Children have it easier to practice sedentary life even outside the home. The increase in smartphones has caused the groups of minors who gather around these devices to increase, which makes the lack of physical activity intensified by the absence of this game outside the home. Currently, the number of young people who prefer screens to play with the ball.
Increase in time
To confirm this theory, this center reviewed the cases of 24,800 teenagers between 9 and 12 years that was followed from 2013 to 2015. All of them were surveyed about the time they spent next to the different screens present in their home: television, computers, video games or smartphones and tablets. 20% of the participants in this research acknowledged that they spend more than 5 hours with these portable devices.
Like watching a lot of television is associated with a sedentary lifestyle that causes an increase in weight, in the case of smartphones and tablets the result is the same. For this reason Those responsible for this work recommend that parents limit the time of use of these technologies and bet for physical activities.
The need to spend quality time is also remembered on the street. Parents should try that when they go out with their children outside the home, they exercise instead of watching their smartphones. During the time that the exit lasts, it is recommended to leave these devices at home and only carry the one of the adults so that in case of urgency, it can be telephoned.
Finally, the importance of preaching with the example. If the family goes out for a walk, parents should keep their cell phones in their pockets and pay attention to their surroundings. Instead of sitting on a bench to check the news, check the mail or send messages, better get up and play with the children taking advantage of every minute that children offer.
Damián Montero
