By: Siyona Singhal

Local Editor 

Young children today are surrounded by devices. While these devices are great for entertainment and education, too much screen time can have a largely negative effect on a child’s mental and physical health. Parents must create a healthy balance for their children between using devices and experiencing the real world by setting firm screen time limits and offering healthy alternatives, like playing with toys or playing outside.

The effects of excess screen time are detrimental to growing children. According to the National Library of Medicine, too much screen time can affect a child’s cognitive and linguistic development alongside their social and emotional development. Prolonged screen usage can also lead to obesity, less sleep, and depression. A study JAMA Pediatrics published, analyzing 7,097 children, reported that anywhere from one to four hours of screen time per day for children under the age of one is linked with higher risks of developmental delays in communication, motor and social skills, as well as problem-solving ability. 

It is clear that when young children spend too much time looking at screens, they experience serious and harmful consequences, which is why it is important that parents set boundaries for their children. They must ensure their children are involved in other healthy activities and spending time in the real world instead of being online. The start of reducing screen time for children is reducing the amount of time adults spend on their devices. Data reveals that 72.9 percent of parents use screens around their kids. According to UCSF Pediatrics Professor Dr. Jason Nagata, “Even if parents think their kids are not paying attention, the data shows one of the biggest predictors of preteen screen use is what their parents do with screens in front of them.” Parents must practice what they preach. 

In addition, parents should introduce their children to other healthy activities. They should give their kids books, coloring materials, or toys that they can play with in the real world. Encourage children to spend time outside or with friends. While these are all great options, parents don’t need to feel pressured to keep their children entertained at all times. According to Dr. John Hutton, associate professor of general and community pediatrics at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, “Longer term, one of the real goals is for kids just to be able to sit quietly in their own thoughts…When they’re allowed to be a little bit bored for a second, they get a little uncomfortable, but then they’re like, ‘OK, I want to make myself more comfortable.’ And that’s how creativity happens.” It’s easy to give kids a screen to keep them entertained and in their own world, but parents must stay mindful and aware of the amount of time their children spend on electronics. 

(Sources: CNN, National Library of Medicine)