Nearly two-thirds of children surveyed in Sri Lanka spend more than 30 minutes a day using mobile phones, tablets or other screens, according to findings of a survey revealed by Health Ministry Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe.
Speaking to the media yesterday (24), Dr. Jasinghe said the survey, covering 1,100 children across four provinces, examined several aspects of children’s daily habits, including screen use, sleep and eating patterns.
The survey was conducted with the participation of children, their parents and preschool teachers.
According to the findings, 64% of the children surveyed were found to spend more than 30 minutes a day on screens, including mobile phones, iPads and other tablets.
Dr. Jasinghe said this exceeds the 30-minute maximum time limit recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The survey also raised concerns over the sleeping habits of preschool children, with 32% found to be getting less than 10 to 11 hours of sleep a day.
Dr. Jasinghe noted that young children, particularly toddlers, require considerably more sleep than adults and should generally receive more than 10 hours of sleep each day.
Another notable finding was the use of screens during meals, with the survey showing that 43% of the children eat while watching a screen.
The findings highlight growing concerns over screen exposure and daily lifestyle habits among young children in Sri Lanka, particularly in relation to screen use, adequate sleep and eating practices. (Newswire)