All schools and nurseries have banned the use of tablets and other devices today in East Ayrshire to encourage kids to talk more.
Childrens’ speech skills are being hampered after spending too much time on smartphones, games consoles and tablets, research has shown.
Calls have been made for East Ayrshire Council to run the ‘No Screens Day’ every week.
Children aged five to 15 spend an average of two hours 11 minutes a day online.
Some nurseries in East Ayrshire have already asked parents to stop using phones when they pick up their kids.
A report presented to councillors said: “Early years staff report significant impact on children’s development as a result of increased screen time.”
The council’s strategic education manager Janie Allen told cabinet councillors it is about having face to face-to-face conversations rather than looking at mobiles and screens.
She pointed to US research which revealed increases in handheld screen time cause bigger risks of speech delay.
The ‘No Screens Day’ was approved at a cabinet meeting last month.
Speaking at the meeting, Councillor Neil McGhee (Labour) said: “I think this is desperately needed and it is a step in the right direction. I am disappointed it has taken so long to be acted on.”
He continued: “The digital era is going too fast for some people, in particular children.”
Councillor Fiona Campbell (SNP) described the evidence of the negative impact of screens as “shocking.”
SNP councillor Gordon Jenkins suggested time-out for screens once a week while the meeting heard the November date is an evaluation exercise.
Councillor Clare Maitland (SNP) said: “I was disappointed it was going to be only one day.”
Pointing out the positives of technology, she said children are also interactive on devices.
She added: “It is about building in good practice.”
Conservative councillor Tom Cook said: “The big issue in secondary schools is how to we get them off their phones.”
He added: “You go to restaurants and see families on their phones and none of them are talking to each other.”
Too much TV also puts children off playing with toys, research presented at the meeting revealed.
The report to councillors said studies suggest limiting screen time and encouraging play-based interactions among children may reduce risk of behavioural, social and emotional problems.
The screen-free day would promote the benefits of reducing time staring at devices and allow teachers and staff to get the message out to families.
It has been jointly co-ordinated by East Ayrshire Speech and Language Therapy Team and East Ayrshire Council.
A council statement said evidence shows increased screen time can have a negative effect on attention, speech and listening skills and children’s weight. It can also impact movement and cognitive abilities as well as behavioural, social and emotional issues.
Meanwhile, Onthank nursery staff have been working hard to boost speech, language and development.
The early years centre has achieved a communication friendly environment accreditation. Another seven nurseries are aiming to get the accreditation too.
