Khaberni - An educational science specialist warned that using electronic devices before reaching the age of 11 can harm a child's psyche, vision, and development.
Dr. Tatiana Tsvetkova said, "It is not advisable to buy a personal smartphone for a child before the age of eleven. Until that age, they can use a basic phone with buttons for easy communication with the family when necessary. It is better to link the purchase of the phone to responsibility and the child’s readiness to accept new rules because very early use of a smartphone can harm the child's development."
Tsvetkova added, according to "Russia Today", that spending a long time on the internet unsupervised, playing games, and receiving information not suitable for children, all negatively affect their psyche, and can establish inappropriate concepts in their minds. Therefore, children under the age of seven should not be exposed to small screens for long periods, as this can weaken their peripheral vision, which is extremely dangerous.
She continued, "The phone should not be given to the child directly, but rather it should be agreed upon in advance, because parental control over the phone is necessary, and this matter should be openly discussed with the child. It is also better to predefine the internet usage hours to fit the family's daily routine. For instance, it is possible to allow internet use after school and homework, within a specified time."
