Updated: Jul 17
For many students today, distance learning has become the new normal. Their classes is carried on virtual-meeting platforms, such as Zoom or Google Meet. “All you have to do is get in Zoom, and when that Zoom’s over, get into the next Zoom,”. Online learning means lots of screen time.
Research has shown that kids who spend a lot of time on screens are more likely to have eye problems, weight problems and trouble with reading and language. They also are more likely to show a wide range of other physical and mental health issues.
How can we as students, help with this?
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1. Get up and go outside
Ask yourself - If I am spending all day sitting on screens, when will I have some physical activity?. Extended time sitting and not moving around leads to changes in the body’s metabolism. These changes make obesity, diabetes, heart disease and other health issues more likely. So an important question to ask yourself is not how much screen time are you getting, but how active are you?
2. Take some break time
The National Institute of Health recommends that children over 2 years of age, screen time should be kept at around 1-2 hours a day.
When it comes to applying this rule to online learning, we recommend 20 minutes of class assignments followed by 10 minutes of physical activity for younger children. Older children and teens may be able to focus on assignments for longer stretches. Remember to take breaks between subjects. Simple activity such as walking to the kitchen for drinks, taking a 10 minutes nap or washing up will do. It is important for parents to understand that off-screen time can be the practice of the work being learned while on screen.
3. Distance from electronics whenever possible
Meals time, reading time and relaxing time are one of the daily activity that do not need screens. Try avoiding using phones when eating, avoid placing electronics devices near you whenever you're reading and also exercising or meditate without any devices with you. This can help you to relax your eyes and improve your wellbeing.
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