Global statistics showed the amount of screen time was prevalent across all age categories. According to statistics, Gen Z spends approximately 9 hours of screen time per day. Personally, that does not sound scary given that most people, particularly Generation Z, work from home, and thus it is exactly what it should be. However, this group of individuals, the children, has no business having such a large amount of screen time on a regular basis.
The Pew Research Center conducted a study in which parents were asked about how their children under the age of 12 use digital devices. “The most common device parents say their young child engages with is a television, with 88% of parents saying their child ever uses or interacts with a TV. Smaller – yet still large – shares of parents say their child ever uses or interacts with a tablet computer (67%) or a smartphone (60%),” Pew Research Center reports. This category of children spends 6 to 9 hours every day on screens. This piece will focus on the effects of too much screen time on children.
What are the main issues concerning children’s screen time?
In 2021 during Click On Detroit’s Local 4 news the channel hosted Wellness Wednesday with Dr. McGeorge who presented new research into exercise, screen time and your kids. “The pandemic has had a dramatic impact on our children. For many it reduces the amount of exercise they are getting and obviously it will radically increase the amount of screen time,” Dr McGeorge said. Putting two and two together, you’d realize that decreasing physical activity has the potential to induce weight gain in children.
Kids normally have a generic day-to-day routine that includes going to school, coming home, doing some homework, and spending the rest of the day watching TV, playing video games, or scrolling through TikTok looking for the latest challenge to join. Screens would quickly become an important part of their daily lives. These kids now prefer to sit still whether playing video games or binge watching one of their favorite movies.
The point is that remaining motionless equals no physical movement, hence these kids are not burning many calories. Additionally, if this starts to become a habit, the calories they consume from meals and snacks won’t be burnt off as quickly, which can eventually result in weight gain.
The recommended amount of physical activity per day is sixty minutes. Pediatrician and researcher Dr. Pooja Tandon of Seattle Children’s Hospital reports that during the pandemic, the percentage of kids who reached that milestone fell from roughly 25% to 1 in 5.
“It was notably worse for older children, for the teenagers where less than 15% were meeting the recommendation for daily physical activities.” Dr. Pooja added that, “children who were engaging in higher amounts of physical activity in general, were reporting less mental health difficulties.”
While technology can be a wonderful tool, too much of it can take away valuable possibilities for face-to-face interactions, such as imaginative play in which children can build forts and have extremely creative conversations with their parents or friends.
Simply being in a consistent pattern of watching TV and playing video games can have an impact on their cognitive abilities. Because otherwise, children would not be able to apply their thinking skills through activities such as puzzles and reading. Kids also multitask when using digital devices. I’m referring to them watching YouTube while texting away on their phone. This continuous shift of attention might cause poor focus and memory problems.
What is the way forward?
Although there are benefits to screen time, it’s important to find a balance. Apps for education and video conversations have their uses, but overuse can cause problems. Setting screen-free zones and adhering to age-appropriate standards are two ways parents can set boundaries, particularly before bed and during meals. Encourage socializing and outdoor play as well in order to promote healthy behaviors.
Conclusion
In summary, although there are advantages to screen time, moderation is necessary for a child’s health. For balanced tech use, parents should work with their pediatricians to create a family media plan. Instead of letting screens take over our lives, let’s strive for a balanced approach.
