No screen time for children under 1
During New Year and winter holidays, UNICEF is calling on all parents to limit children’s screen time
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PODGORICA, 29 DECEMBER 2023 – On the occasion of New Year and winter holidays, UNICEF is calling on all parents to limit children’s screen time and talk to them about the media content that they watch.
The role of parents is crucial to ensure that children have a limited screen time and that they spend time watching programs that are useful for their development. Parents also have a key role in developing children’s media literacy by talking to them about all media messages.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that children under 1 spend no screen time at all and that those under 5 spend up to one hour maximum per day. Developmental delays are documented with increased screen time during the first years of life. Excessive screen time also deprives children from interaction with other children and their family which is essential for their development.
If chosen properly, media can bring children learning and education opportunities. For this to happen, it is crucial that parents support children’s media literacy from early childhood by helping them choose wisely the contents to watch and discussing with them so that children develop skills to critically analyze all media messages.
According to Ipsos nationally representative survey conducted in Montenegro in November 2023, 1 in 3 parents often have children watch video content on a computer, laptop or tablet when they need quiet time at home to finish their work or other duties.
2 in 5 parents do not limit the time and the choice of the media content that their children watch.
Half of parents do not talk to children about what they can watch on TV or Internet.
