Editorial
Avoid exposing young children to screens
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According to experts, a child’s first year of life is crucial for their development, and during this time they should not be exposed to any screens at all as this can lead to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in young children.
A child with autism is unable to interact socially with peers in a typical way due to a neurological deficiency in brain functioning. It makes it difficult to engage and speak with other people.
In fact, there is rise in children’s screen time exposure in this technological age. While there are unquestionable advantages to electronic gadgets, too much screen time can be harmful to a child’s brain development.
Communication problems, strange social interactions, delayed cognitive and learning capacities, and improper emotional responses are a few of these.
Apart from watching TV, young children are given iPads, tablets, phones, and other electronic gadgets to use for extended periods of time without parental supervision. This puts the children in danger.
Studies have shown that children who spend more time in front of screens are more likely to acquire ASD, even though other studies have found that children who play video games do better academically and in terms of intellectual functioning.
Still, not enough information has been gathered to validate this association.
Additionally, compared to children exposed later or never exposed to screens at all throughout their early years of life, children who are exposed to screens earlier in life have a higher chance of having ASD.
Over the past few years, autism has become more common in Ghana, where many young children have reported to medical facilities showing symptoms of the illness.
It is often believed that people with autism typically have less fulfilling lives than those without the condition because of their social isolation and low self-esteem, which can create anxiety and sadness.
Parental stress and family stress are common when a child has autism. Taking care of the child’s requests requires patience because it takes a lot of time and can quickly lead to tension, agitation, and exhaustion in a mother.
Furthermore, it can be challenging for a woman to raise an autistic child and take care of the rest of the family if she is experiencing mental, emotional, or financial difficulties.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that children under the age of two should not use screens at all, while children over the age of three should only use screens for one hour each day.
So, prior to the age of two, parents should refrain from allowing their children to use screens unsupervised. If you notice any indications of a disorder in your child, get assistance as soon as possible to help treat the condition.
Have face-to-face conversations with your children and make sure they are exposed to outdoor play and toys rather than letting them use phones and iPads.
Dear Editor,
I am deeply concerned about the increasing reports of fathers sexually abusing their own daughters.
This disturbing trend is not only destroying families but also leaving victims with lifelong emotional, psychological and physical trauma.
Parents are expected to protect and nurture their children, not become a source of fear and abuse. Such acts are unacceptable and must be condemned by every section of society.
I urge law enforcement agencies to investigate these cases promptly and ensure perpetrators face the full rigours of the law.
At the same time, government, religious bodies, schools and civil society organisations must intensify public education on child protection and encourage victims and witnesses to report abuse without fear.
Communities must also stop shielding offenders because of family ties or social status. Every child deserves to grow up in a safe and loving environment.
I hope this issue receives the urgent national attention it deserves.
From Eugene Ampiaw
Accra
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reports that drowning is still one of the top 10 causes of death worldwide for those between the ages of one and 24, with children under five being most at risk.
Drowning is defined as being underwater and not being able to breathe, which can result in death or injury.
Additionally, UNICEF has warned that children playing in or near water without adequate supervision and safety precautions can quickly transform a happy moment into a tragedy.
It is worrying that children and young adults make up the majority of the estimated 1,100 drowning deaths that occur in Ghana alone each year, or almost three deaths per day.
These were contained in a statement commemorating World Drowning Prevention Day, which is observed on July 25 every year to strengthen national and international efforts to prevent drowning.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), drowning is a preventable global public health emergency that kills around 300,000 people a year, or 30 people every hour on average.
In addition to the numbers, many more cases in isolated areas go unreported, underscoring the problem as a serious yet underappreciated threat to public health.
Drowning can result in death, long-term health problems, or disability, hence it is important to raise awareness of this issue by educating the public on how to save lives.
Although flooding is a common cause of drowning, swimming pools, natural bodies of water like lakes and rivers, and residential water storage facilities are the most common locations. As a result, preventing drowning necessitates ongoing supervision, physical barriers, and critical water safety education.
Additionally, training in basic water rescue techniques and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), an emergency lifesaving operation carried out when the heart stops beating, is crucial.
It is important for parents and community people to learn how to react to an emergency without endangering themselves.
There is the need to install a fence around any body of water near your house, such as a pond or pool, to keep children from walking in unattended. Keep an eye on your children and avoid becoming sidetracked by your phone or talking to someone else.
The Spectator agrees with the WHO’s recommendation to cover more water sources, including cisterns, wells, and water containers, in order to avoid an accidental fall. When not in use, keep bathroom and laundry room doors locked and empty buckets, containers, and portable pools.
Teaching school-age children over six years old the fundamentals of swimming and water safety is one of the best approaches to prevent drowning.
