Children and Screen Time

Do you remember the days when families gathered around the television to watch their favorite show? Fast forward to today, screens are everywhere. In our cars, in our bags, in our pockets, and even on our wrists. In the past few decades, screens have become an integral part of our lives. Digital devices have revolutionized how we connect to each other, how we work, how we learn things, how we entertain ourselves, and many other aspects of our lives. And it’s not only the lives of us adults that have been affected, but also children. For children, having a digital device with a huge screen slapped on it, such as phones, tablets, computers, etc., is not a luxury anymore, it’s a necessity. It helps children learn new things and be entertained. But are there any downsides to screen exposure? How much screen time is good, and when does it become bad and overwhelming? At what age is it acceptable for children to be exposed to screens? What are the short-term and long-term adverse effects of too much screen time? And how can parents moderate screen time in children? These are the questions that we will discuss in this article.

Are there any downsides to too much screen exposure for children?

To no one’s surprise, yes, there is. In fact, there are so many downsides to excessive screen exposure in children that we have to categorize them just to make sure we don’t miss any important ones.

Physical health: in the past few years, the prevalence of neck and back pains in children has increased. Part of it is due to heavier backpacks (which are often the result of digital devices), and the other part is directly caused by screens. Children often hunch over screens, leading to poor posture and neck strain. The time that children in the past would spend running, playing, and exercising is now replaced by sitting in front of computers and TVs and hunching over mobile phones and tablets.

Studies have also shown that obesity is more common in children with excessive screen time for at least two reasons. First, they have less physical activity, as we mentioned above, so they burn fewer calories and have weaker and leaner muscles. Second, it has been observed that children who spend more time in front of screens consume more food compared to other children because their attention is so drawn that they don’t sense stomach fullness. This sedentary lifestyle is related to obesity in children. Obesity in children might not sound like an important issue, but keep in mind that 80 percent of obese adolescents stay obese into adulthood, and obesity has strong links with diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

On the other hand, blue light that is emitted by screens, especially in the last few hours of the day, has been linked to low quality sleep and low energy levels throughout the next day, exacerbating the will to sit in front of a screen all day.

Mental health: The sedentary lifestyle and lack of high-quality sleep that are caused by prolonged screen exposures that we mentioned before have also been linked to anxiety and behavioral problems.

Constant exposure to social media and unrealistic body standards can affect self-esteem and body image. The filtered reality that is an inseparable part of today’s social media, as well as animations, have been linked to depression in adolescents and young adults. There are also serious concerns about the effect of video games on children’s behavior.

All children who spend more time with screens are more likely to face mental health issues in adulthood.

Cognitive development: Recently, JAMA Pediatrics, a well-known and reliable journal in the field of children’s psychology, published an article: “Associations Between Infant Screen Use, Electroencephalography Markers, and Cognitive Outcomes.”. In this study, researchers analyzed data from 506 children in the Growing Up in Singapore towards Healthy Outcomes (GUSTO) cohort study. They found that longer screen time during infancy correlated with altered brain activity, particularly “low-frequency” waves associated with reduced cognitive alertness. As screen time increased, cognitive deficits were more pronounced.

Children with executive function deficits struggle with impulse control, attention, and following instructions. The prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for executive functions, develops gradually. Excessive screen time may hinder this development. This study showed that adverse effects of excessive screen time can be detected even after 8 years and may affect a child’s performance in adolescence and even adulthood. They suggested that to address this issue, families should limit screen time for young children and consider other factors like stressors and parental mood. Further research is needed to understand the reasons behind excessive screen time in this age group.

At what age is it okay for children to be exposed to screens? How much screen time is allowed?

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises that children under 18 months should not be exposed to any screen time. However, video chatting with family is an exception. From 18 to 24 months, only high-quality educational content is allowed, and children should be supervised during screen time. From 2 to 5 years of age, AAP recommends 1 hour of non-educational content per weekday and up to 3 hours on weekends. Children above this age should also have consistent limits on screen time based on the child’s needs and situation. Children of all ages should be encouraged to participate in physical activities and outdoor play with their families.

How can parents moderate screen time?

Set clear boundaries: Establish consistent rules around screen time. Communicate these boundaries clearly to your child. Designate certain areas (like bedrooms and dining rooms) as tech-free zones to encourage face-to-face interactions.

Be a role model: Children learn from observing their parents. Demonstrate healthy screen habits by managing your own usage. Prioritize quality family time without screens. Engage in activities like reading, playing board games, or going for walks together.

Understand content: Before allowing your child to watch or play, preview the content. Ensure it aligns with your family values and is age-appropriate. Choose educational apps and games that promote learning and creativity.

Encourage active alternatives: Encourage physical activity and outdoor play. Nature walks, sports, and playground visits are excellent alternatives. Help your child discover hobbies like painting, playing a musical instrument, or gardening.

Teach digital literacy: Discuss online safety, privacy, and evaluating information. Teach your child to balance screen time with other activities.

Be flexible: Adjust rules based on special occasions or family events.

Authored By:
Dr. Alireza Sarmadi
Family Physician