Screen time and youth

You may have noticed many popular fast food restaurants have replaced their once-tactile toy filled play areas with video game arcades, that is, if they haven’t taken them out altogether. While the world is no doubt becoming more and more technology-dependent, it’s potentially dangerous for such young children to have excess exposure to screen time.

​Studies show that on average, infants 18 months and younger should spend no time on screens at all (other than video calls with relatives). While there is a time and a place for technology for infants, too much exposure to screens at such young ages can be detrimental to their developing skills, such as:

• social skills
• motor skills
• language acquisition skills
• creativity development
• creative play
• imaginations

 
It is recommended that children aged 1-2 only watch the occasional educational shows.  It is also recommended that children this age watch any shows while being accompanied by a parent so they can discuss what they saw afterwards. Too much time in front of screens in toddlers can result in:

• decreased math and academic achievement
• decreased activity levels
• increased levels of conflict with their peers
• increased risk of psychological difficulties such as hyperactivity, social, emotional and behavioral concerns
• increased levels of peer conflict

 
It’s recommended that children aged 2-5 spend no more than 60 minutes watching quality educational videos per day. Too much screen time for children in this age range can cause:

• increased risk for attentional deficit issues (ADD/ ADHD)
• hyperactivity
• issues with social interactions
• lack of ability to communicate
• a need for higher levels of stimulation
• issues regarding long term potential in an academic sense

 
Children and adolescents aged 5-18 should be spending no more than 2 hours of recreational time in front of screens per day. Studies have shown that more time than this can lead to problems such as:

• decreases in physical activity (which can lead to obesity)
• lack of sleep
• increased risk of mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, attachment disorder and bipolar disorder
• increase of aggressive behavior
• increase in risks from radiation emissions from cell phones

 
Technology, must like most things in life are good in small doses; however, when used in excess have some potentially dangerous results. Parents should make sure they are monitoring not just the time that children spend on electronic devices, but also the content that is being viewed by their children.  Content should be age appropriate and (preferably) educational content to help them further develop their growing minds.