64 pct of Sri Lankan preschool children exceed recommended screen time: official

About 64 percent of preschool children in Sri Lanka spend more than 30 minutes a day using mobile phones, tablets or computers, Health Ministry Secretary Anil Jasinghe said on Thursday.

Jasinghe said the World Health Organization recommends that young children spend less than 30 minutes a day using digital screens.

A survey by the ministry also found that around 43 percent eat meals while watching a screen.

Jasinghe said the survey also highlighted concerns about caregiving, with around 56 percent of parents or preschool caregivers reporting that they become angry with children.

He said fathers were less involved in childcare, with only about 53 percent closely engaged in caring for their children.

The Health Ministry has introduced a health promotion program and guidelines for preschool children in response to the findings, Jasinghe said.

xinhua