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The effects of too much screen time and how to reduce adverse effects on children's health

Too much TV, computer, phone and game time can have plenty of negative effects for kids.

Minimizing screen time can help reduce adverse effects on children's health.

What counts as screen time?

Any sedentary activity in front of a screen counts, and multiple types of screen time can add up to 7 hours daily, not counting time spent at school or for homework:

Follow the American Academy of Pediatrics' guidelines for screen time:

Age 2 and under: None - toddlers learn best by interacting with people, not screens.
Young children and teens: 1-2 hours per day of high-quality content.
Keep TVs and computers outside the bedroom.
Restrict computer time during homework and TV time during meals.
Use limited screen time as a reward for being active or reading a book.
Set a smartphone curfew.
Decrease your own screen time to set an example.

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Minimize screen time to help reduce adverse effects on children's health.

Sedentary activity in front of a screen, such as:

6 hours: 8- to 12-year-olds spend about 6 hours on screen daily²

9 hours: 13- to 18- year-olds spend about 9 hours on screen daily²

Multiple types of screen time can add up to 9 hours daily.

Childhood obesity
- Commercials can promote unhealthy eating choices.³
- Children eat more when they are watching TV, especially if they see ads for food.⁴
Lack of sleep
- 57% of of study participants texted, tweeted or messaged after lights out.⁵
- Blue light from screens has a similar effect to caffeine.⁶
Problems in school
- Correlation found between increased screen time and lower grades.⁷
Physical consequences
- Pain in fingers, wrists, neck, and back
- Narrowed eye blood vessels

Follow the American Academy of Pediatrics' guidelines for screen time:⁸

Age 2 and under: None - toddlers learn best by interacting with people, not screens.⁸
Young children and teens: 1-2 hours per day of high-quality content.⁸
Keep TVs and computers outside the bedroom.
Restrict computer time during homework and TV time during meals.
Use limited screen time as a reward for being active or reading a book.
Set a smartphone curfew.
Decrease your own screen time to set an example.

¹ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000355.htm

² https://www.wvea.org/content/teens-spend-astounding-nine-hours-day-front-screens-researchers

³ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32936062/

⁴ https://parenting.firstcry.com/articles/is-watching-tv-while-eating-harming-you-and-your-kids/

⁵ https://www.notepage.net/learning-center/is-texting-keeping-teens-up-at-night.htm

⁶ https://www.sleepfoundation.org/teens-and-sleep/screen-time-and-insomnia-for-teens

⁷ https://oneclass.com/blog/featured/137314-new-study3A-how-does-screen-time-affect-grades3F.en.html

⁸ https://www.aap.org/en-us/advocacy-and-policy/aap-health-initiatives/pages/media-and-children.aspx

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