What are the consequences of too much screen time on children? And how parents can reduce their kids screen time this summer.
A brilliant, yet unknown person said, “There’s no WiFi in the forest, but you will find a better connection.” This quote could not be more apt given that we are in the throes of summer and many children are becoming increasingly glued to their devices. Parents with the best intentions can lose steam by mid-summer and give into screen time requests/tantrums from kids.
However, there is lots of evidence pointing out the damage that excessive screen time can do to children. U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy said in a recent interview: “The platforms are designed specifically to maximize how much time we spend on them.” He also advocates for a warning label on social media sites for children, similar to what is on cigarette packages, because the sites are so dangerous!
So how do parents reduce their children’s screen time? While it may not be an easy feat, if you follow this plan of sharing the adverse effects and focusing on the advantages of doing so with your children, they will put down their devices and find a better connection in the real world.
Know the facts about screen time
A Deloitte study found the average American home has 11 connected devices, including 7 with screens! On average, children ages 8-12 in the United States spend 4-6 hours a day watching or using screens, and teens spend up to 9 hours, according to the American Academy of Adolescent Psychiatry. However, many experts believe these times are actually under reported.
A good place to start for parents is to know your child’s current screen time and media types: computer, tv, video games, social media, etc. What exactly are they consuming during all these hours? WebMD recommends keeping televisions and computers in shared spaces in the home such as the living room or family room. This way it is easier for parents to monitor what kids are watching.
Are you not sure if your child has an issue with excessive screen time? The Child Mind Institute says that it helps to think about your child’s overall health and wellness. “Do they get plenty of sleep and exercise? Are they keeping up in school? Do they spend quality time with friends and family? Do they enjoy non-screen activities and hobbies, like music or sports?” If the answer is yes to these questions, your child may not have an issue with screen time.
Given the above referenced statistics, chances are your child is on devices more than the two hours per day, recommended by the Mayo Clinic, especially during summer with its extensive, unstructured hours. A great question a parent can ask both literally and rhetorically is: What is all this screen time displacing? A relatively new term to enter to the public lexicon is “technoference:” the moments when technology interferes with relationships and actual human connection.
If your child is suffering from technoference, chances are you will see some negative consequences.
Consequences of too much screen time
Mayo Clinic reports many negative and damaging issues connected to too much screen time, including:
Obesity
One only need to go out to any public space to see that many Americans are overweight. Lousy diets and lack of exercise certainly contribute. However, having a television or other electronics in the bedroom further increases this risk, so parents, remove access to electronics in your kids’ bedrooms.
Irregular sleep
All these hours on screens can lead to sleep loss, which can lead to fatigue and increased snacking. Increased snacking leads to weight issues and the cruel cycle repeats. Help your child establish a sleep schedule, with a consistent bedtime and consistent wake up time. Even during summer!
Impaired academic performance
Students with access to electronics in their bedroom performed worse on tests. The logic is that rather than engaging in studying and review of class material, which helps with school success, the child is fully immersed in an electronic world, far removed from his academics.
Attention problems
Kids whoexceeddaily screen time limits can develop an inability to pay attention. This often manifests itself in school, where a teacher delivering a lesson on fractions simply cannot compete with the explosions, thrills, and immediate gratification provided by many video games. To be successful in school, kids need to be able to sustain focus in the real world and the classroom, where entertaining lessons are not always paramount.
Less interest in non-electronic activities
Non-electronic activities seem like they have gone the way of the dinosaurs. Activities such as playing with toys foster imagination and creativity, according to Health Matters New York Presbyterian. This non-structured play is critical for child development and sets the stage for learning and interacting in the real world.
Benefits of reducing screen time
Helping your child reduce screen time may take some convincing. Researchers at Stanford Medicine research have tackled this pervasive issue of excessive screen time by children. They found that kids who stayed under weekly screen time budgets gained less weight, were less aggressive to their peers and asked their parents to buy them fewer advertised products.
Here are some more benefits your child may reap:
Feeling connections with others
Feeling connected to other people can help ward off symptoms of stress, depression and anxiety, according to the Mayo Clinic. Even if your child is chatting with other people while online playing a game, the virtual distance does not replace the benefits received from in-person communication.
Reduced eye strain
Even children who spend too much time staring at screens can get symptoms like dry eyes, headaches, and blurred vision. Removing eyes from a screen and returning them to other non-electronic pursuits will help the eyes recover. If one must be on a computer for school for extended periods of time, it is wise to take screen breaks.
Enhanced posture
Excessive screen time has been linked to poor posture, leading to shoulder, back and neck pain. Perhaps you have heard your child complain of some of these maladies after a long day at school and working on their computer. Encourage your child to simply stand and take breaks. If you are so inclined, here are some healthy and simple stretches that help with posture from Healthline.
Simply reduces time to participate in other activities
Time is a zero sum concept. There is a finite amount each day and if you spend chunks of it online or staring at screens, quite simply you are not doing something else. For a child, there are so many other wonderful activities available such as hanging with friends, playing a sport, practicing an instrument, or even – heaven forbid – spending time with family.
Final thoughts
The evidence is clear and overwhelming. Excessive screen time damages children in numerous ways, including both physical ailments along with mental and social developmental disruptions. But it is never too late to impose screen time limits.
Children with weak Executive Functioning skills may need help with decision making and reducing screen time. If your child struggles with reducing their screen time and or making age-appropriate decisions, contact Jennifer Disch at Engage the Brain to discover how a Learning Specialist can work with your child to strengthen their Executive Functioning skills. Reducing screen time is possible. Parents, please help your child find a better connection with their family, friends, and school, all waiting out there for them in this big beautiful world.