Effects of online games, screen time to learning

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization has recommended screen time guidelines by age, which should be considered by schools in their distance learning strategies, according to the Department of Education.

According to Department Memorandum 2020-00162 titled “Suggested Strategies in Implementing Distance Learning Delivery Modalities for School Year 2020-2021”, DepEd said Kindergarten pupils should have maximum of one hour daily screen time.

Meanwhile, Grades 1 to 5 learners should have maximum of 1.5 hours daily; Grades 6 to 8, maximum of two hours; Grades 9 to 12, a maximum of four hours daily (two hours in the morning and another two hours in the aft er noon) .

This strategy, DepEd officials said, was suggested pending the “Policy Guidelines on the Implementation of Learning Delivery Modalities for Formal Education” issued to schools which were closed because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Schools should comply with the recommended screen time for learners in preparation of the Weekly Home Learning Plan and Class Programs, according to the memo.

It added: “Online activities shall be complemented with locomotion, motor-sensory, and audio tools which will support subjects related to performing arts and clubs. Learners shall be provided with activity sheets and be given performance-based tasks to accomplish.”

This is also true about online games that children seem to be obsessed with nowadays. Indulging in these distractions do not help with their learning experience and may affect their academic achievements.

Other than online learning, children also need physical activity and should not just sit in front of the computer for eight hours.

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The author is Teacher I at Mabical Elementary School