After a stressful workday, personal worries, or the many daily responsibilities, many parents have little energy left to engage with their children. In such moments, digital media may seem like a welcome break: A television in the child's room or a tablet in their hands provides some quiet. Yet what initially offers occasional relief gradually turns into a routine, replacing valuable family time. Daily screen time quickly adds up to well over an hour. Some three-year-olds start their day with a tablet or television before daycare, and in the afternoon, the screen time continues. Parents become accustomed to this routine and often fail to realize just how much time their child actually spends in front of a screen. Two hours of media consumption per day add up to 14 hours per week. Instead of playing and being active, the child sits passively in front of the screen. Experts are increasingly concerned, as more and more children struggle in school with learning to read and write, sitting still, staying focused, or expressing themselves verbally. A lack of physical activity and too little personal interaction contribute to these challenges. Especially in the early years, children develop their vocabulary through communication with adults. Physical activity also plays a crucial role in child development, helping to reduce stress and promote emotional balance. That’s why it is up to us as adults to use digital media consciously and consider the limits of children's sensory processing. Responsible media use does not start with children but with us, by setting a good example.

Experts recommend avoiding digital media for young children up to the age of three. For early media consumption can affect brain development as well as social, emotional, and cognitive abilities. However, international reports show that even children under the age of two spend an average of up to 90 minutes a day in front of a screen. For children between two and five years old, estimated daily screen time is over two hours. Doctors are increasingly concerned about this development. One pediatrician reports: »I see children every day who can barely sit still for five minutes in the waiting room. But instead of bringing a toy or looking at a book together, some parents immediately take out their smartphone to distract their child. This teaches even the youngest that digital devices provide meaningful activity instead of engaging in their own play. As a result, they miss out on valuable experiences in their surroundings, such as discovering new things that spark their curiosity and encourage them to ask questions. Additionally, more and more children’s language skills are not developing as expected for their age. While some children who are two years old already have an exceptionally large vocabulary, some children who are five years old still do not speak in complete sentences.« Digital devices cannot replace communication with caregivers or shared activities. In the first years of life, children learn primarily by playing, talking, and spending time with parents or siblings. It is important to understand that young children cannot occupy themselves for long periods and constantly seek closeness to their caregivers. The best way for this to succeed is in an environment with a loving bond to caregivers.

Teachers are increasingly concerned as more and more children struggle with their motor skills when starting school. When they ask the class to hop on one leg during physical education, the difference quickly becomes apparent: while some children effortlessly hop several meters, others hesitantly lift one leg, flail their arms, and struggle to maintain their balance. Unfortunately, this is no longer an isolated case. These uncertainties also occur when riding a scooter, balancing on a chalk line, or catching a ball in the air. The cause lies in everyday life where physical activity plays little role, while children instead spend a lot of time in front of screens. As media consumption increases, so does the number of overweight children. Instead of eating together with their parents, many children now eat their meals in front of the television. Quick snacks often replace a balanced meal. However, excessive media consumption affects not only body weight but also cognitive and social development. Frequent arguments with other children, lack of endurance, or sudden outbursts of anger are often signs of inner restlessness. Regular exercise counteracts this: Running, climbing, jumping, and balancing are all part of a child's natural development. Daily exercise strengthens muscles, balance, and concentration and helps relieve stress. It is our responsibility to provide children with enough opportunities for physical activity, as this is the key to healthy development.