Eid Al Fitr & Screen Time

#Eid Mubarak
This year, Eid Al Fitr celebrations are affected by COVID-19, but we can still celebrate at home with our family. It is now more important than ever to adapt to a newer Eid celebration by conveying Eid greetings to extended family and friends virtually in order to continue to observe physical distancing. By doing so, we not only keep ourselves safe but others, too. We should adhere to the guidelines issued by the World Health Organization and the Ministry of Public Health in Qatar to keep ourselves, our loved ones and our entire communities safe.

#Screen Time
Children have now been out of school for several weeks and, as a result, many of them may be spending more time than usual watching screens to adhere to remote learning and comply with their academic schedules. Digital technology has become a necessity as part of homeschooling, socializing with friends or playing video games given that outdoor activities are restricted due to the lockdown and increasing outside temperature.

How we can help every child achieve balance with screen time?
Let's make the most of the increased reliance on screens, which are helping to maintain a sense of normalcy during the lockdown, while also finding the right balance with other important considerations like proper nutrition, adequate sleep, and relaxation. However, do remember to pay attention to what children do online, the content they encounter, and their living environment and support network in general to reduce the impact COVID-19 is having on their lives.

Source: UNICEF, Office of Global Insight & Policy

Contributors: Ms. Yasmeen Kalverts, Ms. Raji Anand, Dr. Sohaila Cheema and Dr. Sathyanarayanan Doraiswamy

Editing: Mr. John Hayward