As in other parts of the world, the proliferation of consumer electronics has led to concerns in Taiwan about the potential damage of prolonged screen time. A Taiwanese pediatrician has recently said that too much time on phones and computers could affect children’s cognitive function.
One Taiwanese parent has had enough of worrying about the damage too much screen time may be having on his children’s eyesight. He’s decided to limit his kids’ daily phone time to less than half an hour.
While the effects of prolonged screen time on people’s eyes are well documented, a pediatrician in Taiwan has also pointed out that excess time on mobile phones can also affect the development of children’s cognitive function.
Dr. Mu Shu-chih of Shin Kong Wu Ho Su Memorial Hospital says that screen time limits children’s chances for real-life interaction with people. She says this means the cerebral cortex won’t receive enough stimulation, and cognitive function will suffer as a result. The doctor says this can have long-term consequences, including greater difficulty with listening and reading comprehension.
The doctor has advised parents to keep electronics away from children under the age of two. For children between three and five, the doctor says an hour of screen time per day should be the maximum, while those between six and 18 should have a daily limit of two hours.