TAKEAWAY | Screen Time for Kids

“Screen time”, according to Wikipedia is the amount of time spent using a device with a screen such as a smartphone, computer, television, or video game console. Thus, research has it that “Screen time” is correlated with mental and physical harm in child development. So, we now ask “How bad is screen time for kids?”

While we begin to ponder on that, it is important to note that the positive or negative health effects of screen time are influenced by levels and content exposure and to prevent harmful exposure, some governments and family homes have placed regulations on its usage.

According to a recent publication on Yahoo lifestyle, “Screen time has been a hot-button topic for parents for decades and particularly over the past few years. The rise of personal devices like tablets, phones, and smartwatches, along with the use of screens in schools, has made screen time common for kids. Data also shows that screen time skyrocketed during the pandemic as parents struggled to juggle working with managing their children being at home.

“Screen time guidelines have changed slightly over time. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) used to recommend no screen time at all for children until 18 to 24 months and limiting kids ages 2 to 5 to an hour or less of screen time a day.

“But the AAP now no longer gives a recommended limit on screen time. ‘There isn’t enough evidence demonstrating a benefit from specific screen time limitation guidelines," the AAP says. "Because children and adolescents can have many different kinds of interactions with technology, rather than setting a guideline for specific time limits on digital media use, we recommend considering the quality of interactions with digital media and not just the quantity, or amount of time.’

“Still, doctors say that plopping kids in front of screens all day isn't great for them. So what does the research — including a just-released Japanese study — say about screen time and how can you navigate it? Here's the deal.

“Data on screen time in kids is mixed and wide-ranging but, as the AAP states, it doesn't give a definitive answer on how much is too much.

“In September, researchers released findings from the Japan Environment and Children's Study, which analyzed data from 57,980 children. Researchers concluded that increased screen time (specifically from TV or DVDs) from age 1 "negatively affected later development" and recommended that families who rely on screen time receive social support to help them better manage their intake.

“A study of 7,097 children published in August in the journal JAMA Pediatrics found that children who had anywhere from one to four hours of screen time a day at age 1 had a higher risk of developmental delays in communication, fine motor, problem-solving and personal and social skills by age 2. "These findings suggest that domains of developmental delay should be considered separately in future discussions on screen time and child development," the researchers concluded.

“A meta-analysis of 45 studies published in the Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition in January found that children with total daily screen time of more than four hours were more likely to be overweight or obese compared to those who had less screen time. Kids who had the most screen time were 1.2 times more likely to be obese than those who were at the opposite end of the spectrum.

“A 2019 cohort study of 2,441 mothers and children found that higher levels of screen time in children between the ages of 24 months and 36 months were linked to poor performance on a screening test of the children’s development milestones at 36 months and 60 months. Excessive screen time can impinge on children’s ability to develop optimally,’ the researchers concluded. ‘It is recommended that pediatricians and health care practitioners guide parents on appropriate amounts of screen exposure and discuss potential consequences of excessive screen use.’

“According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, too much screen time in preschool-age children is linked to a higher body mass index, less sleep and developmental delays.

“Research has also linked kids with more screen time to worse sleep, but one study notes that ‘there is a clear need for more basic, translational, and clinical research examining the effects of screen media on sleep loss and health consequences in children and adolescents."

“But a study of 547 twin children published in Psychological Science in 2020 found that the impact screen time has on sleep ultimately depends on the kids themselves. The study found that kids who scored lower on a measure of effortful control (the ability to override inappropriate impulses, focus their attention and complete hard tasks) had less sleep when they used screens at night compared to those who had high effortful control.

While the data seems to suggest that too much screen time is bad, doctors say it's a little complicated.

“This is where things get tricky. "We're continually sending kids mixed messages about screen time,’ Dr. Naline Lai, a pediatrician at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, tells Yahoo Life. ‘A lot of our learning is very screen-based these days.’

“There are different types of screen time, and it's important for parents to consider that, Dr. Gina Posner, a board-certified pediatrician at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, Calif., tells Yahoo Life. ‘There's screen time like Sesame Street and Daniel Tiger that's more educational and then there's screen time that's mindless,’ she says. ‘They should be categorized differently because there are some things that actually teach children. I have 2- and 3-year-olds who are reading some words and it's not because of the parents — it's from the shows they've watched.’

“Lai says she recommends that parents be concerned about screen time when kids get emotionally attached to it. ‘When you say it's time to give up the screen and they start to cry or whine, then you know you need to take a break,’ she says.

"For school-age children, there should be house rules about when and where the child can have screen time,’ Dr. Jennifer Cross, a pediatrician specializing in developmental and behavioral pediatrics at NewYork-Presbyterian Komansky Children’s Hospital and Weill Cornell Medicine, tells Yahoo Life. "Obviously, many children need access to a computer for schoolwork, so rules about time have to take that into account.’

“Adelle Cadieux, a pediatric psychologist at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids, Mich., tells Yahoo Life that it's important for parents to set their own house rules around screen time. ‘Parents need to identify how much screen time will be allowed, when screen time can be used and what content can be accessed,’ she says. "Parents need to also consider when screen time needs to end regardless of if their child has used their allotted time. This can help ensure that screen time is not impacting sleep schedule.

“Cadieux stresses that ‘screen time is a privilege,’ adding that ‘parents can use screen time to reinforce appropriate behavior, but they can also remove screen time for inappropriate behavior.’

“Posner recommends using screen time as a reward. ‘If you read for this amount of time, you can earn some screen time,’ she says.

“But she also admits that it can be tough to limit all screen time to a set number of hours. "Screens dominate everything," she says. ‘I don't know how many adults limit themselves to two hours a day. It's tough."

But there is more to know because in the course of our findings we stumbled on additional research submissions curtesy, an article published by Edtech Magazine indicating that “Excessive screen time is concerning, but when used for education, it can be beneficial”

According to the article, If you are like most Americans, a typical evening with your family means that everyone is tethered to a digital device of some sort. Some might be watching Netflix. Others might be strategizing in an online game, and still others may be using a school-issued device to do homework or research.

The report states further that this “Screen time is on the rise worldwide, according to a recent study published in JAMA Pediatrics, which reviewed the screen habits of about 30,000 children aged 3 to 18 between Jan. 1, 2020, and March 5, 2022. The study revealed that since the pandemic, screen time among children has gone up 52 percent globally.

“I’ve spent many years in the education field as a senior district administrator, professor, researcher and adviser, and I’ve reviewed screen time research from those in the fields of sociology, medicine and education. Although each field of study looks at different aspects of the issue, all have determined that excessive screen time can be damaging, especially to young viewers.

“Researchers in Australia studying 4,013 children identified several categories of screen time — social, educational, passive, interactive and other — in a 2019 paper. According to the study, the type of screen time determines whether it has a positive or negative impact.

“A longitudinal study published in 2020 looked at cognitive and emotional functioning in children over time, between age 4 and 8, measured against their daily screen time. The study found excessive screen time led to emotional dysregulation and negatively affected mathematics and literacy in school-age students.

“In 2021, Denise Scairpon published a dissertation on screen time among 4- and 5-year-old children and its effect on their social and emotional development as well as their sleep. The most significant finding: Excessive use of digital devices may cause children to suffer from irreversible damage to their developing brains and limit their ability for school success.

“Too much of anything can be harmful, and screen time is no exception. Each of the studies shared here indicates the need for responsible screen use among children.

“While educational screen time has the most positive impact of all types of screen time studied, educators must balance the benefits with the drawbacks.

“Educators and parents can work together to promote responsible use of technology. Schools that promote digital literacy for K–12 students can introduce them early to responsible technology use. Adults also can model responsible screen time recommendations.

“Both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization recommend screen time limits by age.

“Both organizations recommend that children age 6 through 10 use no more than 1.5 hours of total screen time each day. The organizations also note that the maximum recommended screen time for everyone, independent of age, is two hours.

“As parents and teachers, we must also refrain from too much screen time and explore other opportunities for engagement and learning beyond our screens. Balance and mindfulness are words we often hear in the context of self-care, but they are relevant when considering the amount of time we allow children to spend in front of screens.

“Researchers found that educational screen time provides the most benefit, showing positive effects on children’s persistence and educational outcomes while also having no significant impact on health. Interactive screen time, which includes time spent playing video games, showed positive educational outcomes but was associated with poorer health”

According to a 2020 updated publication by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry “Children and adolescents spend a lot of time watching screens, including smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, TVs, and computers. On average, children ages 8-12 in the United States spend 4-6 hours a day watching or using screens, and teens spend up to 9 hours. While screens can entertain, teach, and keep children occupied, too much use may lead to problems.

“Parents may not always know what their children are viewing, or how much time they are spending with screens. Children may be exposed to:

·         “Violence and risk-taking behaviors

·         Videos of stunts or challenges that may inspire unsafe behavior

·         Sexual content

·         Negative stereotypes

·         Substance use

·         Cyberbullies and predators

·         Advertising aimed at your child

·         Misleading or inaccurate information

Too much screen time may lead to:

·         Sleep problems

·         Lower grades in school

·         Reading fewer books

·         Less time with family and friends

·         Not enough outdoor or physical activity

·         Weight problems

·         Mood problems

·         Poor self-image and body image issues

·         Fear of missing out

·         Less time learning other ways to relax and have fun

Managing a child’s screen time is challenging for families. Your child is never too young for a screen-time plan. Consider the following as a guideline:

·         Until 18 months of age limit screen use to video chatting along with an adult (for example, with a parent who is out of town).

·         Between 18 and 24 months screen time should be limited to watching educational programming with a caregiver.

·         For children 2-5, limit non-educational screen time to about 1 hour per weekday and 3 hours on the weekend days.

·         For ages 6 and older, encourage healthy habits and limit activities that include screens.

·         Turn off all screens during family meals and outings.

·         Learn about and use parental controls.

·         Avoid using screens as pacifiers, babysitters, or to stop tantrums.

·         Turn off screens and remove them from bedrooms 30-60 minutes before bedtime.

Screens are here to stay and can offer many positives. It’s never too early to develop a screen-time plan with your family. Let your children share their ideas and concerns. Some additional tips to keep in mind are:

·         Familiarize yourself with programming to make sure it is age-appropriate.

·         Talk to your child about what they are seeing. Point out good behavior, such as cooperation, friendship, and concern for others. Make connections to meaningful events or places of interest.

·         Be aware of advertising and how it influences choices.

·         Encourage your child to learn other activities such as sports, music, art, and hobbies that do not involve screens.

·         Set a good example with your own safe and healthy screen habits.

·         Teach children about online privacy and safety.

·         Actively decide when your child is ready for a personal device.

·         Encourage using screens in ways that build creativity and connection with family and friends.

·         Consider your child or teen’s maturity and habits. The right plan for one family may not be a good fit for another.

Positive and healthy screen use is possible with proper guidance and consistency.”

In some other parts of the world, Africa, for instance, “Screen Time” for kids is more liberal for the majority than the others. It is a situation where parents apply or enforce some default control viewing over certain devices for their kids. Government regulations at this point are only limited to certain broadcast agencies and media houses. According to online media reports, the Nigerian Communications Commission has said that the average Nigerian child spends an average of three to 10 hours per day in front of a screen. The commission disclosed this in its ‘Study on young children and digital technology: A survey across Nigeria’.

For Practical Techniques for Managing Screen Time in Nigeria, read more here.