ALL parties, especially parents, should limit the use of electronic devices by children. A global research has concluded that children should not be exposed to tablets, smartphones and televisions for more than two hours a week.
This means that they should be allowed to play with such devices for only 17 minutes daily.
The Education Ministry told the Dewan Rakyat recently that prolonged use of electronic gadgets contributed to visual impairment in students.
Deputy Education Minister Datuk Chong Sin Woon said last year, 6.3 per cent of Year One pupils had visual impairments, 4.1 per cent of Year Six pupils and 2.7 per cent of Form 3 students.
I am worried that parents allow children as early as 3 to play with a tablet or smartphone for hours.
Some of them do so because they have no time to entertain their children.
What is more alarming is that the children play with electronic devices without supervision. This could lead to addiction.
Universiti Teknologi Mara Health Sciences Faculty lecturer Wan Elhami Wan Omar said children between 2 and 5 years were exposed to electronic devices when they should be spending more time on outdoor activities and enjoying nature.
If gadget addiction is not addressed, it will not only damage children’s eyesight, but also cause neck and spinal problems.
Gadget addiction can lead to pornography and cyberbullying.
TAN SRI LEE LAM THYE
Chairman, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health