When it comes to screen time and kids, less is more.
This is according to a recent Danish study led by Dr. Jesper Schmidt-Persson of the University of Southern Denmark, which found that reducing exposure to screen media: Youth Mental Health.
A total of 89 families, including 181 children and teenagers, were randomly assigned to one of two groups.
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The first group is Smartphones and tablets For two weeks, limit your use of television, computer and other screen media to no more than three hours per week, except for work or school.
There were no restrictions on the control group.
Families who limited their children’s screen exposure saw improvements in their children’s mental health, particularly how they managed their emotions, communicated with peers, and had behavioral problems. (cyberguy.com)
The children’s ages ranged from 4 to 17 years, with the median being 8 to 9 years.
At the end of the study period, families completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), which assessed children’s psychological symptoms.
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In the group that limited their children’s screen exposure, Mental Health Specifically, there was improvement in regulating emotions and communicating with peers in a kind and compassionate way, as well as a reduction in behavioral problems.
The findings were published last month in JAMA Network Open.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the lead researcher for comment.
The risks of excessive screen time for children
In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General issued recommendations regarding social media use among young people that highlighted mental health concerns.
“Too much screen time and access to social media at a young age can Feeling depressed or anxious“It’s a very real opportunity for parents to get involved,” Dr. Joshua Stein, a child and adolescent psychiatrist and clinical director at PrairieCare in Minnesota, previously told Fox News Digital.
In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General issued recommendations regarding social media use among young people, highlighting mental health concerns. (Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
Experts cited a 2023 Gallup research study that found teens who spend more than five hours a day looking at screens are 60% more likely to have suicidal thoughts or self-harm.
“These children were 2.8 times more likely to have a negative view of their body and 30 percent more likely to describe it as ‘very sad’,” added Stein, who was not involved in the Danish study.
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Access to smartphones and social media is linked to cyberbullying, depression, Sleep ConcernsThese include self-harm and body image issues, Stein said.
“It can also lower self-esteem and create social pressure on people to act against their morals and family beliefs,” he added.
What is a healthy amount of screen time for children?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends limiting screen time to two hours per day for children ages 2 and older.
According to the company’s website, the media is not recommended for use by children under the age of two.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends limiting screen time to two hours per day for children ages 2 and older. (iStock)
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) outlines specific guidelines for each age group on its website.
For babies up to 18 months, it is recommended that screen use be limited to video chats with adults.
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For children aged 18 to 24 months, the guidelines state that screen use should Educational Programming.
For children ages 2 to 5, AACAP recommends limiting non-educational screen time to one hour on weekdays and three hours on weekends.
“Let’s be honest, minimal screen time is healthy for kids,” the expert told Fox News Digital. (Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
There is no time limit for children aged 6 and above, Healthy Habits Limit screen-based activity.
“Honestly, it’s healthy for kids to have minimal screen time,” Dr. Zeyad Baker, a pediatrician at Baker Health in New Jersey, previously told Fox News Digital.
He acknowledged that it can be harder for parents to limit usage if their children have to do their homework online, but he believes the quality of screen time is key when setting limits.
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“If you Enjoy screen time with your family “On an educational level, or when kids are using screen time in a limited capacity to delve deeper into valuable information and topics, that’s very different than continually watching and absorbing meaningless content on the internet,” Baker said.
Experts recommend that children only be allowed on social media and certain TV channels on weekends, and limit screen time during the week to learning-related content only. (cyberguy.com)
He recommends that children only be allowed on social media and certain TV channels on weekends, and limit screen time during the week to only educational content.
Experts said parents shouldn’t treat limiting screen time as a punishment.
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“Instead, we should encourage other activities, like going outside to play,” he said.
“Not only is it good, Physical HealthNot only will increasing your activity and vitamin D levels improve your overall health, it will also have a positive impact on your mental health.”
