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Screen time is the time you spend each day using devices with screens, like TVs, video consoles, smartphones and tablets. There are benefits and risks to using these devices, so a healthy family lifestyle includes limits on daily screen time.What is screen time?Screen time is the time you spend watching TV or DVDs, using computers, playing video or hand-held computer games, or using tablets or smartphones.Screen time can be:interactive – for example, playing video games, communicating via Skype, or using online tools to draw picturesnot interactive – for example, sitting still and watching movies, TV programs or YouTube videoseducational – for example, doing maths homework onlinerecreational – for example, playing games or watching videos for fun. What do screen time limits mean for your child?Screen time limits are about making sure your child enjoys lots of healthy, fun activities – both with and without screens.Limits mean looking at the time your child spends on screens and making sure it doesn’t get in the way of sleep and activities that are good for her development. These activities include things like physical play, reading, creative play like drawing, and social time with family and friends.Limits don’t mean you should stop your child from watching TV or playing video games because he uses screens at school or for homework.Risks of screen timeScreen time can have physical, developmental, safety and other risks. If you reduce the amount of time your child spends using screens, you can reduce the risks for your child.Physical problemsUsing screens can cause physical problems. For example:Looking at a screen intensely can cause sore, irritated and dry eyes, headaches and fatigue.Looking down at a device can make your child’s neck and spine uncomfortable.Being inactive for long periods using a screen can lead to a less active lifestyle, which could lead to obesity.You can reduce these risks by encouraging your child to:regularly look away from the screen into the distancekeep his neck upright when he’s using a phone or tablettake regular breaks to get up and move aroundmake physical activity part of his daily life.Development issuesToo much screen time can have an impact on children’s language development and social skills. This is because children need real-life interactions to develop these skills. Too much screen time can also affect older children’s development – for example, it can affect their ability to have conversations, maintain eye contact, pay attention in school or read body language.Too much screen time can also result in children missing out on developing a wide range of interests, and the friends and learning associated with these interests.You can reduce this risk by making sure your child balances time spent using screens with other activities.