When it comes to screen time and kids, less is more.
This is the result of a recent Danish study led by Dr. Jesper Schmidt-Persson from the University of Southern Denmark. It examined the effects of reduced use of screen media on Mental health of adolescents.
89 families with a total of 181 children and adolescents were randomly assigned to one of two groups.
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The first group had to Smartphones and tablets for a period of two weeks, and limit use of other screen media – such as television and computers – to three hours or less per week, not including work or school.
The control group had no restrictions.
Families who limited their children’s screen time saw improvements in their children’s mental health, particularly in managing their emotions, communicating with peers, and developing behavioral problems. (Cybergguy.com)
The average age of the children was between 4 and 17 years, with the average age being 8 to 9 years.
At the end of the study period, families completed a Strengths and Weaknesses Questionnaire (SDQ), which assessed the children’s psychological symptoms.
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The groups that limited their children’s screen use saw improvements in mental health — particularly in the way they managed their emotions and communicated with peers in a helpful, considerate way, as well as a reduction in behavioural difficulties.
The results were published last month in JAMA Network Open.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the lead researcher for comment.
Risks of excessive screen time for children
In 2023, the Surgeon General of the United States issued a recommendation on social media use by adolescents, citing mental health concerns.
“There is evidence that children who spend excessive amounts of time in front of screens or have access to social media at a young age are more likely depressed or anxious,” Dr. Joshua Stein, child and adolescent psychiatrist and clinical director at PrairieCare in Minnesota, previously told Fox News Digital.
In 2023, the Surgeon General of the United States issued a recommendation on social media use by adolescents, highlighting the associated mental health concerns. (Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
The expert cited a 2023 Gallup study that found that teenagers who spend more than five hours a day in front of screens are 60% more likely to express suicidal thoughts or self-harm.
“These children were 2.8 times more likely to have a negative body image and 30 percent more likely to be ‘very sad,'” added Stein, who was not involved in the Danish study.
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Access to smartphones and social media increases the risk of cyberbullying, depression, Sleep-related concernsSelf-harm and problems with one’s own body image, says Stein.
“It can also lower self-esteem and socially pressure people to go against their morals and family beliefs,” he added.
How much screen time is healthy for children?
For children ages 2 and older, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends limiting screen time to two hours per day.
The company’s website advises against the use of these media by children under two years of age.
For children ages 2 and older, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends limiting screen time to two hours per day. (iStock)
The American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) sets out specific guidelines for each age group on its website.
For babies up to 18 months, it is recommended to limit screen use to video chats with an adult.
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Between the ages of a child of 18 months and 24 months, the guideline is to use screens only for Educational programming.
For children ages 2 to 5, AACAP recommends limiting screen time for non-educational purposes to one hour per weekday and three hours on weekends.
“To be honest and frank, it is healthy for children to spend as little time in front of the screen as possible,” one expert told Fox News Digital. (Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
There is no hour limit for children aged 6 and over, but it is recommended healthy habits and limiting screen-based activities.
“To be honest and candid, it’s healthy for kids to have as little screen time as possible,” Dr. Zeyad Baker, a pediatrician at Baker Health in New Jersey, previously told Fox News Digital.
He acknowledged that it is harder for parents to moderate use when their children have to do their homework online – and he believes the quality of screen time plays a role in setting limits.
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“I think if you Screen time with the family “On an educational level, or when children use screen time to engage in limited, in-depth engagement with valuable information and topics, that is very different from constantly viewing and absorbing meaningless content on the Internet,” Baker said.
One expert recommends allowing children access to social media or certain television channels only on weekends and limiting screen time to school-related content during the week. (Cybergguy.com)
He recommends allowing children access to social media or certain television channels only on weekends and limiting screen time to school-related content during the week.
Parents should not interpret screen time restrictions as punishment, the expert noted.
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“Instead, they should encourage other activities, such as playing outside,” he said.
“This is not only good for physical healthby increasing activity and increasing vitamin D levels, but it’s also great for their mental health.”
