Children Should Have Limited Screen Time a Day

 

Photo from Raise Smart Kid

Children Should Have Limited Screen Time a Day

            Have you ever seen a toddler glued to a tablet in an outdoor public setting? Or at a public gathering in the corner with a phone five inches from their face? It is quite common nowadays to see children of noticeably young ages out in public gripping on to a tablet or smart phone. You see children outside on playgrounds, in a restaurant, or even on the beach with some piece of technology with them. Children under the age of 10 should not have a smartphone or tablet shoved in their faces to keep them occupied when you don’t feel like entertaining them. Limited screen time does not limit to only smartphones, but also includes television, tablets, computers, and any other form of screen devices.

Common opposition

 Many may oppose the thought of lowering screen time for children below the age of 10 because it helps with learning and development. An article says that certain skills can be developed and strengthened and those skills are:

  • digital skills
  • creative skills
  • problem-solving skills
  • communication skills
  • social skills
  • goal-setting skills
    The article states that with supervised screen usage, children can discover new interests and hobbies, or topics they want to learn about. Or that when they discover something in the real world they're able to research it and dig deeper into what they love. It could help them academically in a more efficient way rather than traditional pen, paper and textbook. Children could play online video games that require critical thinking or problem solving. However, the negatives of screen time outweigh the positives and we should focus on preventing than putting children at risk.
 
Psychological effects

An article by the Modern Day Associates states that recent research shows that kids who spend several hours of their day glued to a smart device are twice as likely to develop depression and anxiety. While glued to a screen, the kids do not have the chance for mental breaks, to engage with others and their surroundings, or form proper and meaningful connections with people. A few behavioral changes associated with depression and anxiety are as follows: 

  • sleep deprivation
  • difficulty concentrating 
  • low self-esteem
  • changes in eating habits
  • feelings of hopelessness 
  • over-worrying  
 
   Mood changes are often noticed within the connection of excessive screen time. Though, according to the article, scientists are still trying to find the exact link between screen time and mood. However, studies have shown that depressive symptoms are much more noticeable in those with greater screen usage. It also states that teens are more likely to neglect responsibilities.
 
Health concerns 
 
     As previously mentioned, the articles also state that excessive screen time can lead to poor health outcomes such as obesity due to lack of exercise. In article by the BMJ Journals states "with suggested mechanisms an increase in energy intake,1 the displacement of time available for physical activity2 or more directly through reduction in metabolic rate.3 There is also evidence that high screen time is associated with deleterious effects on irritability, low mood and cognitive and socioemotional development, leading to poor educational performance.4 " 

    In the same article, a study has shown that greater screen time usage leads to significantly shorter sleep time along with increased daytime tiredness.  


                                                                    Photo by Moovpt

 Social Skills

    While being occupied with a screen, children miss out on opportunities to build and mold their brain and develop strong social skills. An article by Unicef states that reduced face-to-face communication leads to social anxiety, being anti social, lack of social awareness, and inability to feel for others. Improper social skills can greatly affect an individuals future and their ability to obtain and maintain a job. Social skills are a crucial part of life and poor development can hurt them in the long run.

 Brain development

    With the article previously mentioned, Unicef, described how with an increased screen time usage leads to inability to empathize. Not only is empathy at stake, but other brain development factors such as cognitive skills, brain structure, and addiction. According to the article, studies have shown that face to face interaction is the only way for young children to learn to understand non-verbal cues and interpret them. Excessive screen time leads to a delay in language development and impaired attention/concentration.

    To be more specific in terms of brain structure, an article about the effects of screen time says that it can affect the cortex; the outer layer of your brain responsible for processing information, decision making, and working memory. "A study called Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) revealed that some kids who use screens more than seven hours a day had a thinner cortex than those who use less," it says. 

    Screen time can become addictive. Because many individuals use their screens as a reality escape, a getaway, they often rely on it for a serotonin boost and so without it, they have withdrawals. When those who are used to having multiple hours of screen time a day find themselves feeling anxious without their screen. This can result in negative impacts on children's behavior and cognitive development as well. 

     Exposure to threats

    With screen time comes internet usage and the internet is very unpredictable. The child is bound to come across inappropriate content such as unsolicited sexual or violent images, videos, texts while surfing the internet. To avoid this, place restrictions on the device along with a downtime feature where it is impossible for the child to access the device itself. 

    Cyber bullying and/or harassment is very possible as well. If the child accesses social media platforms or messaging apps, it is very easy for them to receive harmful messages without your knowledge. This is more of a threat to individuals above the age of eight to ten where they are more aware of threats. There are people out there who prey on innocent, oblivious, naive children to either scam them, steal their/your identity, or even sexualize them in forms of grooming, exploitation, or abuse.  

How can we prevent this?

    With certain modifications to parenting styles, you can work to prevent the child from experiencing any online dangers while keeping them in their best health mentally, physically, and emotionally. 

    Set screen time limits; downtime hours for the child's devices if they have any. With custom downtime settings, you would have control of the child's screen time completely. You'd dictate just how much screen time they are allowed each day and set times for when the devices shuts down until rebooting at a certain time, also of your choice. 

    An article about how to guide the child suggests that you make tech-free zones in the household. For example, the kitchen table, any time a family meal is occurring, or even when they are eating a snack at the table, no devices. Another example could be bedtime. No devices when getting into bed for the night because screen time right before bed prevents deep sleep. 

    Be a model. Show the child that screens are not the best source of entertainment out there. Show them that there are far better ways to have fun such as going outside, playing with friends, reading a book, drawing, coloring, puzzles, anything that does not require a screen. 

    The recommended screen time hours for various age groups according to OSF Healthcare are:

  • Under 2 years old: No screen time
  • 2-5 years old: No more than one hour per day with supervision
  • 5-17 years olds: No more than two hours a day with the exception of homework

Bottom line 

     Children under the age of 10 should have very limited screen time because of the multiple effects it has on them physically, mentally, and emotionally. Too much screen time will affect them in the long run in ways that consist of the psychology of the brain such as mood swings, depression, and anxiety. Social skills will be affected due to missed opportunities to interact face-to-face with other individuals. The structure of the brain such as the cortex will thin along with impairment of attention, concentration, and cognitive skills. The child will also be exposed to online threats of many forms if left unsupervised. 

    With enough tweaks and changes to our parenting styles, children can grow to their fullest potential without a silly screen holding them back. They can be the best version of themselves and relay their practices to future generations putting an end to the ridiculous amount of screen time there is today. 

Works Cited

A Message from Scholastic and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Scholastic and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), nida.nih.gov/sites/default/files/NIDA_YR18_INS3_ACTION_StuMag_2pg_508.pdf.

Erinna. “Modern-Day Parenting - How Screen Time Affects Your Child’s Mental Health | MHA of WNY.” Medical Health Associates of Western New York, 23 Nov. 2022, www.mhawny.com/2022/11/23/modern-day-parenting-how-screen-time-affects-your-childs-mental-health/.

Legner, Luke. “Kids’ Screen Time: How Much Is Too Much?” OSF HealthCare Blog, 6 Dec. 2021, www.osfhealthcare.org/blog/kids-screen-time-how-much-is-too-much/.

Mayo Clinic Staff. “Unplug: Tips to Manage Kids’ Screen Time.” Mayo Clinic, 2016, www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/childrens-health/in-depth/screen-time/art-20047952.

Nechtem, Charles. The Impact of Technology on Children. Charles Nechtem Associates, Aug. 2021, www.cerritos.edu/hr/_includes/docs/August_2021_The_Impact_of_Technology_on_Children_ua.pdf.

Nelson, Carlota. “Babies Need Humans, Not Screens.” Www.unicef.org, 2020, www.unicef.org/parenting/child-development/babies-screen-time.

Nidirect. “Social Media, Online Gaming and Keeping Children Safe Online.” Nidirect, 3 Nov. 2015, www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/social-media-online-gaming-and-keeping-children-safe-online.

“Screen Time: How It Helps Children Learn.” Raising Children Network, 19 Dec. 2022, raisingchildren.net.au/school-age/school-learning/learning-ideas/screen-time-helps-children-learn.

Stiglic, Neza, and Russell M. Viner. “Effects of Screentime on the Health and Well-Being of Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review of Reviews.” BMJ Open, vol. 9, no. 1, Jan. 2019, https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2018-023191.

Twenge, Jean M., and W. Keith Campbell. “Associations between Screen Time and Lower Psychological Well-Being among Children and Adolescents: Evidence from a Population-Based Study.” Preventive Medicine Reports, vol. 12, no. 12, Dec. 2018, pp. 271–83, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmedr.2018.10.003.

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Works Cited

A Message from Scholastic and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Scholastic and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), nida.nih.gov/sites/default/files/NIDA_YR18_INS3_ACTION_StuMag_2pg_508.pdf.

Erinna. “Modern-Day Parenting - How Screen Time Affects Your Child’s Mental Health | MHA of WNY.” Medical Health Associates of Western New York, 23 Nov. 2022, www.mhawny.com/2022/11/23/modern-day-parenting-how-screen-time-affects-your-childs-mental-health/.

Legner, Luke. “Kids’ Screen Time: How Much Is Too Much?” OSF HealthCare Blog, 6 Dec. 2021, www.osfhealthcare.org/blog/kids-screen-time-how-much-is-too-much/.

Mayo Clinic Staff. “Unplug: Tips to Manage Kids’ Screen Time.” Mayo Clinic, 2016, www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/childrens-health/in-depth/screen-time/art-20047952.

Nechtem, Charles. The Impact of Technology on Children. Charles Nechtem Associates, Aug. 2021, www.cerritos.edu/hr/_includes/docs/August_2021_The_Impact_of_Technology_on_Children_ua.pdf.

Nelson, Carlota. “Babies Need Humans, Not Screens.” Www.unicef.org, 2020, www.unicef.org/parenting/child-development/babies-screen-time.

Nidirect. “Social Media, Online Gaming and Keeping Children Safe Online.” Nidirect, 3 Nov. 2015, www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/social-media-online-gaming-and-keeping-children-safe-online.

“Screen Time: How It Helps Children Learn.” Raising Children Network, 19 Dec. 2022, raisingchildren.net.au/school-age/school-learning/learning-ideas/screen-time-helps-children-learn.

Stiglic, Neza, and Russell M. Viner. “Effects of Screentime on the Health and Well-Being of Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review of Reviews.” BMJ Open, vol. 9, no. 1, Jan. 2019, https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2018-023191.

Twenge, Jean M., and W. Keith Campbell. “Associations between Screen Time and Lower Psychological Well-Being among Children and Adolescents: Evidence from a Population-Based Study.” Preventive Medicine Reports, vol. 12, no. 12, Dec. 2018, pp. 271–83, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmedr.2018.10.003.

‌

Works Cited

A Message from Scholastic and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Scholastic and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), nida.nih.gov/sites/default/files/NIDA_YR18_INS3_ACTION_StuMag_2pg_508.pdf.

Erinna. “Modern-Day Parenting - How Screen Time Affects Your Child’s Mental Health | MHA of WNY.” Medical Health Associates of Western New York, 23 Nov. 2022, www.mhawny.com/2022/11/23/modern-day-parenting-how-screen-time-affects-your-childs-mental-health/.

Legner, Luke. “Kids’ Screen Time: How Much Is Too Much?” OSF HealthCare Blog, 6 Dec. 2021, www.osfhealthcare.org/blog/kids-screen-time-how-much-is-too-much/.

Mayo Clinic Staff. “Unplug: Tips to Manage Kids’ Screen Time.” Mayo Clinic, 2016, www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/childrens-health/in-depth/screen-time/art-20047952.

Nechtem, Charles. The Impact of Technology on Children. Charles Nechtem Associates, Aug. 2021, www.cerritos.edu/hr/_includes/docs/August_2021_The_Impact_of_Technology_on_Children_ua.pdf.

Nelson, Carlota. “Babies Need Humans, Not Screens.” Www.unicef.org, 2020, www.unicef.org/parenting/child-development/babies-screen-time.

Nidirect. “Social Media, Online Gaming and Keeping Children Safe Online.” Nidirect, 3 Nov. 2015, www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/social-media-online-gaming-and-keeping-children-safe-online.

“Screen Time: How It Helps Children Learn.” Raising Children Network, 19 Dec. 2022, raisingchildren.net.au/school-age/school-learning/learning-ideas/screen-time-helps-children-learn.

Stiglic, Neza, and Russell M. Viner. “Effects of Screentime on the Health and Well-Being of Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review of Reviews.” BMJ Open, vol. 9, no. 1, Jan. 2019, https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2018-023191.

Twenge, Jean M., and W. Keith Campbell. “Associations between Screen Time and Lower Psychological Well-Being among Children and Adolescents: Evidence from a Population-Based Study.” Preventive Medicine Reports, vol. 12, no. 12, Dec. 2018, pp. 271–83, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmedr.2018.10.003.

‌

 

Works Cited

A Message from Scholastic and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Scholastic and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), nida.nih.gov/sites/default/files/NIDA_YR18_INS3_ACTION_StuMag_2pg_508.pdf.

Erinna. “Modern-Day Parenting - How Screen Time Affects Your Child’s Mental Health | MHA of WNY.” Medical Health Associates of Western New York, 23 Nov. 2022, www.mhawny.com/2022/11/23/modern-day-parenting-how-screen-time-affects-your-childs-mental-health/.

Legner, Luke. “Kids’ Screen Time: How Much Is Too Much?” OSF HealthCare Blog, 6 Dec. 2021, www.osfhealthcare.org/blog/kids-screen-time-how-much-is-too-much/.

Mayo Clinic Staff. “Unplug: Tips to Manage Kids’ Screen Time.” Mayo Clinic, 2016, www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/childrens-health/in-depth/screen-time/art-20047952.

Nechtem, Charles. The Impact of Technology on Children. Charles Nechtem Associates, Aug. 2021, www.cerritos.edu/hr/_includes/docs/August_2021_The_Impact_of_Technology_on_Children_ua.pdf.

Nelson, Carlota. “Babies Need Humans, Not Screens.” Www.unicef.org, 2020, www.unicef.org/parenting/child-development/babies-screen-time.

Nidirect. “Social Media, Online Gaming and Keeping Children Safe Online.” Nidirect, 3 Nov. 2015, www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/social-media-online-gaming-and-keeping-children-safe-online.

“Screen Time: How It Helps Children Learn.” Raising Children Network, 19 Dec. 2022, raisingchildren.net.au/school-age/school-learning/learning-ideas/screen-time-helps-children-learn.

Stiglic, Neza, and Russell M. Viner. “Effects of Screentime on the Health and Well-Being of Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review of Reviews.” BMJ Open, vol. 9, no. 1, Jan. 2019, https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2018-023191.

Twenge, Jean M., and W. Keith Campbell. “Associations between Screen Time and Lower Psychological Well-Being among Children and Adolescents: Evidence from a Population-Based Study.” Preventive Medicine Reports, vol. 12, no. 12, Dec. 2018, pp. 271–83, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmedr.2018.10.003.

‌

 

Works Cited

A Message from Scholastic and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Scholastic and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), nida.nih.gov/sites/default/files/NIDA_YR18_INS3_ACTION_StuMag_2pg_508.pdf.

Erinna. “Modern-Day Parenting - How Screen Time Affects Your Child’s Mental Health | MHA of WNY.” Medical Health Associates of Western New York, 23 Nov. 2022, www.mhawny.com/2022/11/23/modern-day-parenting-how-screen-time-affects-your-childs-mental-health/.

Legner, Luke. “Kids’ Screen Time: How Much Is Too Much?” OSF HealthCare Blog, 6 Dec. 2021, www.osfhealthcare.org/blog/kids-screen-time-how-much-is-too-much/.

Mayo Clinic Staff. “Unplug: Tips to Manage Kids’ Screen Time.” Mayo Clinic, 2016, www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/childrens-health/in-depth/screen-time/art-20047952.

Nechtem, Charles. The Impact of Technology on Children. Charles Nechtem Associates, Aug. 2021, www.cerritos.edu/hr/_includes/docs/August_2021_The_Impact_of_Technology_on_Children_ua.pdf.

Nelson, Carlota. “Babies Need Humans, Not Screens.” Www.unicef.org, 2020, www.unicef.org/parenting/child-development/babies-screen-time.

Nidirect. “Social Media, Online Gaming and Keeping Children Safe Online.” Nidirect, 3 Nov. 2015, www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/social-media-online-gaming-and-keeping-children-safe-online.

“Screen Time: How It Helps Children Learn.” Raising Children Network, 19 Dec. 2022, raisingchildren.net.au/school-age/school-learning/learning-ideas/screen-time-helps-children-learn.

Stiglic, Neza, and Russell M. Viner. “Effects of Screentime on the Health and Well-Being of Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review of Reviews.” BMJ Open, vol. 9, no. 1, Jan. 2019, https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2018-023191.

Twenge, Jean M., and W. Keith Campbell. “Associations between Screen Time and Lower Psychological Well-Being among Children and Adolescents: Evidence from a Population-Based Study.” Preventive Medicine Reports, vol. 12, no. 12, Dec. 2018, pp. 271–83, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmedr.2018.10.003.

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