“Attention turns nothing into everything.” Goethe
The place of technology in our lives is too important to be underestimated. Television, on the other hand, is a communication tool that ranks first in reaching large audiences, and the use of television has increased significantly, especially in recent years. The ease of transportation of this vehicle, which is just a remote control button away, supports this situation. With this increase, the effects of television's positive as well as negative features on people are gradually emerging.
Recent research provides very important findings, especially regarding children's television viewing time. According to Nielsen research company; Children between the ages of 2 and 5 watch television for more than 32 hours a week, and children between the ages of 6 and 11 watch television for approximately 28 hours. These figures cause serious problems in the development of children. Children who spend too much time in front of the screen;
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They have communication problems,
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Speech problems, especially at young ages. delay is observed,
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Perception and attention processes are weakened,
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Impatient and aggressive attitudes are exhibited,
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Sleep irregularities occur,
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He is exposed to stimuli such as violence and alcohol.
While the positive and negative aspects of television use are discussed, the Supreme Media Council in France has banned children between the ages of 0-3 from watching television. This ban does not only cover adult channels, but also applies to children's and baby channels. This age range covers the richest period when neurons in the brain connect and build bridges as a result of experiences. Therefore, in this period when the child needs to be exposed to many stimuli and experience, it is tried to prevent him from spending time in front of the television, where he is shaped as a passive receiver. The child, who has been equipped with the ability to use all five senses since infancy, can only use his senses of sight and hearing in front of the television. Accordingly, the other three sense organs are in their most productive periods.
As with all technological products, conscious use is very important for television. The quality of the programs prepared for children is increasing day by day and very useful content is being prepared. At this point, parents come into play. Children do not know which program will be right or beneficial for them. They are only interested in the entertainment part and can watch any broadcast they come across. Unfortunately, the parent who is busy at that time or wants to keep himself busy can hand the remote control over to his child, leaving the child unattended. The real danger of television begins with this first step and continues throughout the viewing period. Parents should definitely choose publications whose content they trust and know, and only allow their children to do so. In addition, explanatory and educational language should be used in accordance with the situations that develop by watching television together.
Having the opportunity to watch the cartoons they want and download the games they want from their parents' phones and tablets (considering that a considerable majority have their own tablets…), It is one of the most common but gravest events of recent times.
At this point, parents who are truly conscious can manage the process very well. The broadcasts to be watched are determined by the consensus of both parents. Then, after the child is done watching, he can read a book, play with his toys or paint... But he knows this: My time watching television is over. The sooner we give the child this awareness and the maturity to accept the situation, the less difficulty he will have in organizing his life.
On the other hand, there are parental attitudes that have some difficulty in acting consciously. According to their statements; "He is a child, let him follow what he wants, I don't want to be stubborn or when guests come, that's the only way he leaves us alone." And one of the most frequently heard expressions is: "The remote control can only be in his hand, and he constantly watches television while eating or until he goes to bed in the evening." It is possible to hear this and thousands of statements like these. However, as I always say, in such situations, getting angry at the child or telling him that he has a stubborn nature is very harmful to the child. It means to be in poverty. Because in such situations, the main responsibility belongs to the parents. The parent should consciously make him/her feel his/her role at home, and the child should learn how to behave in accordance with his/her role. If he can internalize and apply what he has learned, it can be seen that such situations will decrease in a very short time.
Our children are our future, our most valuable ones. If you ask any parent in the world, they will say that their most valuable asset in the world is their children. They especially state that their health comes first. However, there is a very important point that is not taken into consideration here. When it comes to children's health; It is thought that they should eat well, not catch cold, not get fever... Yes, physical health is important for everyone, but what really goes unnoticed is mental health. Nothing else in the world can cause the harm that unconscious use of technology can cause to your child. And it can be understood more clearly how good mental health is or not when the child goes to a preschool institution. The state of the child's mental health can be easily observed when he/she is faced with a situation that requires the use of many mental processes such as the process of fitting into the group, being able to perceive, focus, being able to complete the work he/she has started, etc.
As a result, in order for our children to be mentally well and healthy. It is very important for parents to act consciously. In fact, we are talking about a situation that many of us know but have difficulties in implementing. Then, let's first take precautions to protect our own mental health. You will see that these precautions will attract your children's attention in a short time and the mental health of both you and your child will be protected.
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