Too much screen time impacts children’s health: Health officer

• Children addicted to internet and new technological devices have little interaction with the rest of society

By Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama   

Many physical, mental, social, spiritual, and health problems have arisen among children of the country by looking at digital screens such as computer screens, smart phone screens, etc., Health Education Officer of the Health Promotions Bureau, Mrs. Kumari Ilukpitiya said.   

 She said the children who are addicted to internet and new technological devices have relatively little interaction with the rest of society.   
It was also said that they are more or less disengaged from activities that lead to spiritual well-being, constantly engaging in the digital world.   
Inactivity and too much addiction to digital devices can lead to various physical health problems, including eye damage.   

Mrs. Ilukpitiya also points out that mental health problems and learning problems can arise in those children, including excessive stress.   
She said this while delivering the keynote speech at a training workshop currently being held at the Health Education Auditorium of the Colombo Municipality.   
“Due to these physical, mental, social, and spiritual problems, problematic behavioural changes occur in those children.   

Therefore, it is essential that parents, guardians, teachers, and the entire society pay close attention to this situation.   
Mrs. Ilukpitiya emphasizes that if this is not the case, we may have to face many problems as a family, society, and country in the near future.

• Inactivity and too much addiction to digital devices can lead to various physical health problems