Gaming hours of kids should be limited to two hours: DoH
abu dhabi — Health authorities in the UAE have issued a warning to parents, urging them to limit the gaming hours of their children to not more than two hours per day and only under supervision. They claimed that excessive gaming is linked to physiological and behavioural disorders.
The Department of Health — Abu Dhabi (DoH), said excessive gaming may be linked to social, psychological and behavioural disorders such as social anxiety, isolation, anxiety, depression and poor academic performance.
Authorities said parents must not only supervise their children while playing video games, but also ensure the gaming content is educational and interactive.
Children under the age of two should not have any screen time, as over exposure to screens may harm the child’s physical and mental development, according to the American Academy of Paediatrics (APP).
Results of the 2015 Global Schoolbased Student Health Survey (GSHS) showed approximately 56 per cent of school students aged 13-15 years spend more than three hours a day playing video games or watching television, whereas the percentage reaches close to 63 per cent with children aged 16-17 years.
Dr Jamal Al Mutawa Al Naqbi, manager of community health and surveillance department at the DoH, urged parents to keep an eye out on their kids.
“In an era of ubiquitous technology that surrounds our lives, whether at home or at school, children have become engrossed in using technology that it has become almost impossible to unplug completely.”
He pointed out that it is essential to find the right balance between children’s use of technologies, particularly long and excessive hours of gaming, and more healthy and active pursuits.
“Despite the few positive effects associated with gaming — strategic thinking, problem-solving — their negative consequences far outweigh them.”
He added that back and wrist pain, eye strain, headaches, stress, physical exhaustion, sleep disturbances and obesity are among the most common health problems associated with prolonged gaming.
“Parents are role models who can set an example for their children. They are responsible for limiting hours their children spend playing video games.” Additionally, sitting in uncomfortable positions for extended periods of time can lead to back and shoulder muscle strains, fatigue, poor blood circulation and muscle and joint pain.
It has also been reported that children who are addicted to video games are more prone to stress, which directly impacts their organs, such as eye strain resulting from prolonged exposure to bright screens.