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Take a look at these articles, youtube videos, and podcasts to learn more about the damaging effects of screen time on young people.

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Lots of interesting surveys, facts, about kids who spend a lot of time on screen and how it is linked to anxiety/ depression/ behavioral issues.

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Excessive screen time is bad for your kid's mental health - TomoNews

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Awesome blog and podcast more studies linking mental health issues to screen time use.

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In This Article:

Too much screen time can lead to obesity, sleep problems, chronic neck and back problems, depression, anxiety and lower test scores in children.

Children should limit screen time to 1 to 2 hours per day. Adults should also try to limit screen time outside of work hours.

To help limit your family's screen time, you can promote healthy electronic use, encourage other activities and keep bedrooms screen-free.

Electronics are a part of everyone's life - but what are the negative effects of screen time for adults and children?

Screens are a part of everyone's life these days. While there is growing evidence showing the negative effects of screen time on adults and children, your family can improve their health by cutting back on the amount of time spent in front of the screen. Learn the negative effects of prolonged screen time and tips to help limit electronics use.

The effects of screen time on your health

Whether the whole family sits around staring at their smartphones or you keep the TV on in the background, too much screen time can be harmful. Here are a few ways your health may be negatively affected by spending too much time in front of a screen.

Obesity. Too much time engaging in a sedentary activity, such as playing video games or watching TV, can be a risk factor for obesity. Heart health is also impacted and can lead to a higher risk of diabetes, increased blood pressure or cholesterol.

Sleep problems. The light emitted from electronic devices interferes with the brain's sleep cycle and can prevent getting a good night's sleep. To sleep more soundly, keep screens out of the bedroom and avoid them for at least an hour before you climb into bed.

Chronic neck and back pain. Too much screen time can lead to poor posture, causing chronic neck, shoulder and back pain. Instead, take breaks from sitting to walk around, stand or stretch. Make sure your chair provides ample back support and try to keep the device at eye level.

Depression and anxiety. All the time spent in front of screens can negatively affect your mental and emotional wellbeing. Experts suggest that higher screen time and depression could be connected along with an increase in suicidal behaviors and lower one's ability to read emotions in general.

Additionally, a National Institutes of Health study found that children who spent more than two hours a day on electronic devices scored lower on thinking and language tests. Those with more than seven hours of screen time experienced thinning of the brain's cortex, which is related to critical thinking and reasoning.

Tips to reduce screen time

Limiting screen time to just a few hours a day may not be realistic, but these tips can help slim you and your family's screen time.

Model healthy electronic use. Parents are role models for their kids. The next time you binge-watch your favorite Netflix series, remember that you are setting an example for your children. Keeping the TV on in the background or scrolling through your phone when you have a spare minute may not be modeling the behavior you hope to see in your kids.

Set aside time to unplug. Choose a time for your whole family to unplug from the phone, TV and computer. When you all agree to put down your devices, it gives your family the chance to spend quality time together.

Use parental controls. There are tools you can use to filter or block unwanted content. You can even set daily screen time limits that can lock your children out of apps after they have reached a set amount of time.

Encourage other activities. These days it's easy for kids to become reliant on electronics for entertainment. Instead, encourage them to get involved in activities that don't require a screen like playing outside, reading a book or playing a board game.

Keep bedrooms screen-free. You may want to consider making it a rule that electronic devices are not allowed in the bedroom. This also includes tablets and other handheld devices that your kids may be tempted to use at night, which could interfere with their sleep.

So, what is the ideal amount of screen time? While it sounds like a simple question, the "just right" amount often depends on what type of screen a person is looking at and why they are looking at it. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends avoiding screens for children younger than 18 to 24 months. Children over age 2 should be limited to 1 to 2 hours of screen time per day. Adults should also try to limit their screen time outside of work hours.

If you have questions about the negative effects of screen time for adults and children, find a nearby Valleywise Community Health Center or call 1 (833) VLLYWSE to schedule an appointment.

Sources:

1. https://www.verywellfamily.com/the-negative-effects-of-too-much-screen-time-1094877

2. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000355.htm

3. https://healthmatters.nyp.org/what-does-too-much-screen-time-do-to-childrens-brains/

4. https://academic.oup.com/pch/article/22/8/461/4392451

5. https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/13/why-you-should-be-reducing-screen-time-and-3-simple-tips-to-do-it.html

6. https://abcdstudy.org/

Check out our amazing community resources throughout the Valley! We offer a variety of family-friendly fitness, art and nutrition classes that parents and children both will enjoy.

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The Negative Effects of Screen Time for Adults and Children - Blog - Valleywise Health

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Too much screen time can lead to obesity, sleep problems, chronic neck and back problems, depression, anxiety and lower test scores in children. Children should limit screen time to 1 to 2 hours per day. Adults should also try to limit screen time outside of work hours.

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The screen shows a montage of common images - a group of friends at a noodle joint, half glued to their mobile phones; girlfriends at a Colorado Rockies baseball game posing for selfies. Cut to a group of middle schoolers sitting on a park lawn. A boy with glasses and wiry sandy hair says screen time "distracts you probably from what's more important and yet you still can't get off of it." A slim, ponytailed girl adds, "It pulls you in." The boy agrees strongly, "It pulls you in."

It's a common observation. When physician and filmmaker Delaney Ruston found out that kids spend an average of 6.5 to 8 hours a day looking at screens, as a doctor she wondered: "What impact does all this screen time have on health?"

Ruston investigates this question in her documentary Screenagers, which explores how young people use digital devices and the possible effects on their brains. She discovers digital media use can produce a drug-like effect, felt at any age but most intensely during the teen years. When parents abruptly take away the device from their child, a meltdown typically ensues. "I think so many parents are feeling out of control," Ruston says.

We spoke to Ruston and other experts about the health effects of screen time from childhood through adulthood.
Adults
A 2014 Nielsen report found that adults log a total of 11 hours of screen time a day. Here are some of the ways this might be affecting our health:

Vision. Staring into a screen for extended periods of time can cause "computer vision syndrome." You're probably familiar with the symptoms: strained, dry eyes, blurred vision, and headaches. Poor posture can also cause neck and shoulder pain.

Sleep. Studies link heavy computer and mobile phone use to more sleep disturbances. University of Gothenburg psychologist Sara Thomée, one study's lead researcher, says the blue light from digital devices suppresses the sleep-promoting hormone melatonin, keeping us from having restful sleep.

Addiction and reward seeking. Dopamine, the "feel-good hormone," is part of the brain's pleasure and reward circuits. Playing video games turns on similar brain regions as those linked to cravings for drugs and gambling, Ditto for social media - every time we see a new post or get a reaction to ours, it's like a hit of brain candy.

Weight. Even two hours of TV a day can increase the risk of weight gain, diabetes, and heart disease in adults. (Computer use doesn't seem to have as strong a link.) There are probably several factors to blame, including less active time, less sleep, and seeing more ads for unhealthy foods.

Overall health. Most of the time we're on our screens, we're sitting down. Sitting for hours at a time boosts the risk of obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancer. One study found that spending more than four hours a day in front of a computer or TV more than doubles your likelihood of dying or being hospitalized for heart disease - and exercise won't reduce the risk. Check out our infographic for more information.
Tweens and Teens
During the preteen and teen years, the brain goes through major transformations. This may be why tweens and teens are especially vulnerable to the impacts of screen time on brain function and emotional well-being.

Learning. One study found that kids and young adults who spend a lot of time on TV and video games were twice as likely to suffer from attention disorders. "Anything that affects attention affects learning," says Victoria Dunckley, an integrative child, adolescent and adult psychiatrist and author of Reset Your Child's Brain.

Self-confidence. More time watching videos or other content on digital devices means less time exploring and creating their own experiences, stories, or art. "I think the key to develop self-competence and self-confidence is creating," qualities important for healthy relationships and overall well-being, Ruston says.

Social skills. Online experiences can build community and foster communication and creativity. But as Screenagers points out, tweens and teens might hide behind the screen to avoid tricky or awkward conversations, like approaching a crush or making new friends. "Rather than challenge themselves to do that in person, they go to the screen for a diversion," Ruston says. That lack of face-to-face interaction can also feed online bullying.

Emotions and personality. In 2010, researchers found that kids who logged more than two hours a day in front of a computer or TV screens had a higher chance of psychological difficulties on a standard questionnaire. Studies in young men show that playing violent video games is linked to more aggression and less sensitivity to others. Also, imaging studies have found that internet addiction and game addiction can shrink the brain regions responsible for planning and executive functions, empathy, compassion, and impulse control.,,, It's unclear how quickly or easily the brain returns to a "normal" state after you stop playing video games, Dunckley says. On the other hand, games that reward cooperation and support can lower stress, boost mood, and promote helping behaviors.

Addiction and reward seeking. A recent survey found that 50 percent of teenagers admitted being addicted to their mobile devices. Ruston learned that the brain's dopamine center is extra sensitive during the teenage years, making the rush of playing video games feel even more intense and addictive.

Sleep. Similar to the findings in adults, screen time can have damaging effects on sleep. A 2015 study of 10,000 16- to 19-year-olds in Norway reported that those who clocked in four or more hours of screen time a day (outside of schoolwork and homework) had about a 50 percent higher likelihood of lying awake for an hour or more before finally falling asleep. And according to a recent study, lack of sleep in teens is linked to more risky behaviours like drinking and driving.

Weight and overall health. Just like in adults, watching two or more hours of TV is linked to weight gain in this age group. Studies have also noted higher cholesterol and blood pressure in kids who watch more TV.
Young children
Our kids are swimming in screens. According to a recent study, 92 percent of babies had used a mobile device before their first birthday. Nearly 35 percent have their own mobile device at age 2 and that number is 75 percent among 4-year-olds. Nearly a quarter of kids ages 2 and under have TVs in their rooms, and at age 4, almost 50 percent do. On the other hand, the American Academy of Pediatrics Studies suggest that screen time may be affecting the normal development of fundamental learning, language, and emotional skills.

Learning. Kids younger than 30 months have a limited ability to learn from video, according to some studies., They learn more from live interaction with people and immediate feedback. The American Academy of Pediatrics discourages media use by children under 2 and says there is no proven educational or developmental benefit at this age. Screen time also takes away from unstructured play time, which is important for learning and problem solving.

Language skills. Research has shown that TV can hamper language development in kids by displacing time spent interacting with caregivers. Digital devices might have a similar effect. "TV reduces speech between parents and their infants and toddlers," says David Hill, chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Communications and Media Executive Committee. "It's really that casual, everyday speech that helps them develop language skills."

Emotional development. Some experts worry that using digital devices as "shut-up" toys to occupy kids during day-to-day tasks like grocery shopping or eating out might prevent them from learning how to regulate boredom, distress, and other impulses and emotions.

Vision. In recent years, many countries are experiencing epidemic levels of myopia, or short-sightedness, and indoor time may be to blame. In Seoul, South Korea, for example, 96.5 percent of 19-year-old men wear glasses. Researchers think it may be due to lack of exposure to sunlight, which might be important for proper eye development. In a 2013 study, teachers at a Taiwanese school made kids stay outside for their entire 80-minute recess period (instead of letting them stay inside). Only 8 percent were diagnosed with myopia a year later versus 18 percent at a neighboring school.

Sleep. Research has linked screen use among children with shorter, lower-quality sleep. A 2014 review paper of school-aged kids and adolescents correlated screen time with poorer sleep. They saw especially strong links between screen time and delays in bedtime, as well as a shorter period of time spent asleep. A study published a year later found that compared with kids who didn't sleep near a small screen (like a cellphone screen), those who did sleep near a small screen reported about 20 fewer minutes of sleep and were more likely to report insufficient rest or sleep.

Weight. Several studies have found that the more TV children watch, the more like they are to be overweight. Kids with TVs in their bedrooms are more at risk, and childhood TV habits affect the risk of being overweight as adults.

The common theme across age groups: More screen time means less time for activities that are good for your health and well-being. The most important question to ask yourself is, "What is screen time displacing?" Hill says. "Is it displacing sleep, communicating with each other as a family, exploring the world and exercising?"
For a $50 discount on hosting your own showing of "Screenagers," mention Rally in the comment section of the screenings form. http://www.screenagersmovie.com/host-a-screening/ *Discount is available for a limited time only and is subject to change. Rally Health® has no affiliation with ScreenagersTM or its producers and does not directly or indirectly endorse the film content. Selected references:

American Optometric Association. Computer Vision Syndrome. AOA.com.

E. Guedes, F. Sancassiani, M. Carta, et. al. Internet Addiction and Excessive Social Networks Use. Clinical Practice and Epidemiology in Mental Health. June 2016. [Link]

Scary Ways Technology Affects Your Sleep. Sleep.org. [Link]

Harvard School of Public Health. Television Watching and "Sit Time." Obesity Prevention Source.

Jenny S. Radesky, Jayna Schumacher, Barry Zuckerman. Mobile and Interactive Media Use by Young Children: The Good, the Bad, and the Unknown. Pediatrics. January 2015. [Link]

Dunckley, Victoria L. Gray Matters: Too Much Screen Time Damages the Brain. Psychology Today. February 27, 2014. [Link]

Elie Dolgin. The Myopia Boom. Nature. March 18, 2015. [Link]

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The Unexpected Effects of All That Screen Time

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The screen shows a montage of common images - a group of friends at a noodle joint, half glued to their mobile phones; girlfriends at a Colorado Rockies baseball game posing for selfies. Cut to a group of middle schoolers sitting on a park lawn.

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Did anything make you feel differently about your screen time use?

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Did anything make you feel differently about your screen time use?

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Was there anything that stuck out to you in the article? Do you want to cut back on your screen time use after what you learned today? What was the most interesting part? Did you enjoy the youtube video, podcast, or article the most? Do you know any children who spend a lot of time looking at screens? Do they display any of these characteristics?

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Please respond to the question on the jam board. What are some new things you learned about too much screen time? Will you change your screen habits? what will you take with you after this lesson?

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After viewing the resources, please answer the question and post your responses to the jam board

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Everyday we spend hours staring at screens. Whether they be phones, computers, televisions, tablets, or checking out at the grocery store. Screens are all around us and we do not realize how much they can effect our physical and mental health, let alone young childrens. How can you cut back on screen time? Are there times when we are looking at a screen when we shouldn't be? How can you prevent your child from looking at a screen so much? what are some physical effects of screen time? Behavioral effects? Mental health effects? These are all things to consider, especially when screens are so accessible these days.

How can you cut down on your screen time and cut down on unnecessary screen time for your children or students?

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This youtube cartoon video displays the behaviors that some kids who spend too much time looking at screens may have. It is fun, informational, and puts into perspective how much we look at screens every day. Very interesting and worth taking a look at!

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Mission 11 Harmful Effects of Excessive Screen Time

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This podcast episode features an interview with a pediatric emergency physician whom talks about medical evidence supporting negative effects of screen time on young children's health.

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This episode features my interview with Dr. Andrew Sauer, who is a pediatric emergency physician, and also an attorney at my law firm, Smith Hulsey & Busey. Dr. Sauer talks about the medical evidence demonstrating that too much screen time can be harmful to your child. We also discuss the actions parents can take to prevent their children from being harmed by too much screen time.

Below are links to some of the resources Dr. Sauer discussed:

How to Make a Family Media Use Plan (American Academy of Pediatrics)
https://healthychildren.org/English/family-life/Media/Pages/How-to-Make-a-Family-Media-Use-Plan.aspx

"Media and Young Minds"
https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/138/5/e20162591
Media and Young Minds - American Academy of Pediatrics Announces New Recommendations for Children's Media Use
https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/Pages/American-Academy-of-Pediatrics-Announces-New-Recommendations-for-Childrens-Media-Use.aspx
Media Use in School-Aged Children and Adolescents - Children and Adolescents and Digital Media
https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/pediatrics/early/2016/10/19/peds.2016-2592.full.pdf
"MRIs show screen time linked to lower brain development in preschoolers"
https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/04/health/screen-time-lower-brain-development-preschoolers-wellness/index.html
"Children and Media Trips from the American Academy of Pediatrics"
https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/news-features-and-safety-tips/Pages/Children-and-Media-Tips.aspx
"Children and Adolescents and Digital Media" (Technical Report)
https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/138/5/e20162593.full
"Association Between Screen Media Use and Academic Performance Among Children and Adolescents"
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/article-abstract/2751330
"Associations Between Screen-Based Media Use and Brain White Matter Integrity in Preschool-Aged Children"
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/article-abstract/2754101

Click the player above to listen to the show, and if you like what you hear, please leave a positive review.

For suggestions or other feedback, please email me at pgpodcast@outlook.com

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is too much screen time harmful to your child's brain?

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‎The PG Podcast: Is too much screen time harmful to your child's brain? on Apple Podcasts

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This episode features my interview with Dr. Andrew Sauer, who is a pediatric emergency physician, and also an attorney at my law firm, Smith Hulsey & Busey. Dr. Sauer talks about the medical evidence demonstrating that too much screen time can be harmful to your child. We also discuss the actions...

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This article discusses the harmful physical and mental effects too much screen time can have on young children.

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Today's children have grown up with a vast array of electronic devices at their fingertips. They can't imagine a world without smartphones, tablets, and the internet.

The advances in technology mean today's parents are the first generation who have to figure out how to limit screen time for children. While digital devices can provide endless hours of entertainment and they can offer educational content, unlimited screen time can be harmful.﻿﻿

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends parents place a reasonable limit on entertainment media. Despite those recommendations, children between the ages of 8 and 18 average 7½ hours of entertainment media per day, according to a 2010 study by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. But it's not just kids who are getting too much screen time.

Many parents struggle to impose healthy limits on themselves too. The average adult spends over 11 hours per day behind a screen, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.

It's important to understand how too much screen time could be harming everyone in the whole family.

The Negative Effects of Too Much Screen Time

Whether you keep the TV on all the time or the whole family sits around staring at their smartphones, too much screen time could be harmful. Here's what some of the research says:

Behavior problems: Elementary school-age children who watch TV or use a computer more than 2 hours per day are more likely to have emotional, social, and attention problems.

Educational problems: Elementary school-age children who have televisions in their bedrooms do worse on academic testing.

Obesity: Too much time engaging in sedentary activity, such as watching TV and playing video games, can be a risk factor for becoming overweight.﻿﻿

Sleep problems: Although many parents use TV to wind down before bed, screen time before bed can backfire. The light emitted from screens interferes with the sleep cycle in the brain and can lead to insomnia.﻿﻿

Violence: Exposure to violent TV shows, movies, music, and video games can cause children to become desensitized to it. Eventually, they may use violence to solve problems and may imitate what they see on TV, according to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

Digital Devices Can Harm Family Relationships

Most of the conversations about the dangers of screen time focus on children. But, it's important to recognize that adults may experience many of the same harmful effects as well, like obesity and sleep problems.

But even if you aren't experiencing any tangible health problems stemming from your digital device use, there's a good chance your electronics could be harming your relationship with your child.

In a 2015 survey by AVG Technologies, one-third of children reported feeling unimportant when their parents looked at their smartphones during meals or when playing together.

Even replying to a quick text message could be sending your child another message-that your phone is more important than he is.

Giving your child interrupted care-by repeatedly checking your smartphone-could also affect his development and his mental health. A 2016 study suggests looking at your digital devices could increase your child's chances of developing mental health problems, like depression.

Establishing Family Rules With Electronics

Telling your child to turn off his video games while you're sitting in front of the TV won't do anyone any good. It's important for you to set healthy limits on your electronics use for your own sake, as well as your child's sake.

Here are a few household rules you might want to establish to curb screen time:

No digital devices during family meals.

No electronics use during family fun nights.

No screen time in the car.

No screens allowed in bedrooms.

In addition, consider an occasional digital detox for the whole family. Create a screen-free night once a week or commit to unplugging one weekend a month. It could be good for everyone's physical and emotional health, as well as your family's relationships.

Additional Reading

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How Too Much Screen Time Can Hurt Kids and Their Families

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Many of the conversations about screen time focus on the dangers toward children. But, too much time on digital devices hurts parents too.

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This lesson will be focusing on the amount of time people - particularly young people- spend looking at a screen. It also focuses on the mental/ physical effects in can have on us. Watch the video to learn more