Precautionary Measures That Children Should Take Along With Digital Learning

It is a matter of pride when we say that the number of internet users in India will reach 600 million by Mid-2020. According to a UNICEF report in 2019, one in three Internet users in India is a minor or child.

A similar study conducted by Intel Security in 2015 reveals that around 81 per cent of Indian children aged between 8 and 16 years are active on the internet for online learning, gaming and social media.

In this Covid-19 pandemic situation, children are becoming more and more internet literate but they are very far from being internet conscious; therefore, there is a dire need for parents and teachers to educate them well about cyber health and all the necessary precautions.

On talking with Dr.Virendar Pal Singh, Chief Medical Officer, Meerut, he advised children to take up the following measures to cope with the health hazards caused by the usage of excessive Internet, Computer and Smartphones.

Find certain moments to disconnect yourself from a mobile phone. Switching off while having meals and sleeping, and setting “no mobile” or “silent mobile” time slots are not only good but necessary.

• Place your phone at least 15 feet away from you when you sleep at night. Keep it silent and resist the temptation to check it before the morning. Turn off the mobile phone while having conversations and interactions with people.
  
• Aerobic Exercise will help to sustain strength, improve cardiovascular conditioning, and counteract the strain of sedentary computer use.
  
• Blink your eyes frequently while focusing on the screen. Rest your eyes by refocusing on distant objects intermittently when working and wash your eyes thrice in a day.
  
• Take a one or two-minute break every 15 to 20 minutes, or a five-minute break every hour to stretch your limbs.
  
• Posture: Maintain good posture when working at the keyboard. Sitting on a chair with back support is helpful.
  
  Positioning:

1. When writing at the computer, avoid excessive reaching over the keyboard or work materials. Your keyboard, pointing device, files and telephone should be within easy reach. A sturdy in-line copy holder can double as a writing surface if appropriately positioned.
   
2. Position the monitor so that the viewed part of the screen allows you to keep your neck in a neutral or straight position. The monitor should be centered directly in front of you. The top of the computer screen should be slightly below the top of your head so that you are looking at it with a slightly downward gaze.
   
3. Position your monitor to eliminate excessive glare or reflections from windows and lighting.