Digital screen use among young children in Sri Lanka has increased rapidly, with a survey revealing that 64% of children in this age group spend more than one hour a day looking at mobile phones or computer screens.
Secretary to the Ministry of Health, Dr. Anil Jasinghe, made these remarks at a media briefing held at the Health Promotion Bureau.
According to World Health Organization recommendations, young children should spend less than 30 minutes a day looking at digital screens. However, Dr. Jasinghe pointed out that 64% of children in Sri Lanka exceed this limit and use mobile phones or tablets on a daily basis.
The survey also highlighted several concerns relating to children's sleep, eating habits, oral health and fathers' involvement in childcare.
Sleep: Around 32% of children in early childhood sleep for less than the recommended 10–11 hours per day.
Eating habits: Around 43% of children eat while looking at screens, with the Secretary noting that this may result in children paying insufficient attention to the food they consume.
Oral health: The survey found that around 80% of children brush their teeth twice a day.
Fathers' involvement: A tendency remains to view childcare as primarily the mother's responsibility, while only around 53% of fathers are closely involved in activities with their children.
Dr. Anil Jasinghe further stressed that parents should take steps to change these conditions in order to support the mental and physical development of children.
