A lifestyle medicine doctor has written a festive “letter to Santa”, urging parents to remember that childhood itself is the most valuable gift of all this Christmas.
Dr Kate McCann, who is based in Co Meath, asked Santa not to overload his sleigh with e-scooters, scramblers, or magnetic and water beads, and instead to have the elves test every toy using a toilet roll tube, reports Breaking News.
“If toy or any detachable piece of the toy fits inside, a young child can choke on it and this includes teething beads which has caused a number of accidents,” she said, reports Breaking News.
The Dublin-based doctor also asked Santa to include a helmet with every new bike, scooter or pair of rollerblades, noting that he “forgets so many each year”, reports Breaking News.
“E-scooters are not toys for children. They are now a leading cause of injury in children and young teens and are responsible for 25 per cent of brain injuries admitted to paediatric neurosurgery in the last year,” reports Breaking News.
She further advised parents against buying retinol or other inappropriate skincare products for young people, even if they are heavily promoted on social media, reports Breaking News.
“Retinol, high strength AHA/BHA, acidic products, and other anti-aging skin care regime products for young skin are not needed,” she said, reports Breaking News.
“They can cause redness, irritation and breakouts. There are also serious concerns about the role of complex skin care routines in childhood on things such as body image, reports Breaking News.
Dr McCann, who runs the EmDoc blog, also welcomed Australia’s new ban on social media use for under-16s, saying: “I don’t know a doctor or medical health professional who is not excited about this initiative, reports Breaking News.
“Childhood is an absolutely priceless gift for their mental and physical health,” reports Breaking News.
“Children don’t need adult things yet that come with so many adult problems and harms and worries, reports Breaking News.
“Give your child the gift of their childhood back this Christmas. They are only children for such a short time – make it last as long as you can,” reports Breaking News.
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