KUALA LUMPUR: Pediatricians and psychologists have sounded the alarm over the lack of awareness on the part of parents on the consequences of allowing their children and babies too much screen time.
They say this is one of the reasons why more parents are allowing their children to use electronic devices for long periods without adult supervision.
This trend, they say, can affect a child's health and development, including leading to Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms, mental stress, a lack of focus, impulsiveness, eyesight deterioration, and a lack of social skills among others.
Associate Professor Dr Intan Hakimah Ismail, a senior consultant pediatrician from Universiti Putra Malaysia said excessive screen time can also affect a child's cognitive development and motor skills, as well as mastery of language and the ability to control their emotions.
"Children who spend a lot of time using devices will have problems with their social skills. They will prefer to be left alone and struggle to speak to others.
"They may also face other problems, including being unable to think and this can lead to stress when they encounter problems."
She said studies indicate that 70 per cent of children aged between 18 months and five years use devices for periods longer than what experts recommend, which is around an hour a day.
Most teenagers surf the internet for more than 16 hours a week, she said.
There are also studies linking excessive screen time to depression and self-harm among teenagers, especially girls.
Dr Intan said awareness among parents on the dangers of excessive use of devices was still low, and that some think allowing their children and babies screen time is good for them.
"Using devices to distract children including babies can affect their basic motor skills. For example, some children can't even use scissors or hold a pencil correctly, and can't build anything from building blocks or even colour."
She urged parents to be more strict to protect their children from becoming addicted to devices by limiting their screen time. Parents should instead spend more time playing with their children.
Meanwhile, SEGi University child psychologist Profesor Datin Dr Mariani Md Nor said excessive use of devices could lead to children becoming disinterested in learning and paying attention in class.
"This will disrupt their learning process and that of their classmates," she said, adding it would also affect the child's ability to interact with others.
She said she believed the problem was not due to a lack of awareness but the desperation of parents to ensure their children were well-behaved.
"For example, when they are at a restaurant and they need their child to sit still and avoid disturbing others. When they hand their child a device, things are under control.
"After a while, it becomes a norm, especially while eating or at events."
She said parents must limit their children's screen time and monitor what they watch or the games they play, to ensure the programmes or games are educational and beneficial.
Even then, children should only allow their children to use devices after completing school work or if they behave.