Screen time for kids has skyrocketed during the pandemic — and it’s still higher than before COVID
Children’s screen time increased at the beginning COVID-19 pandemic on the background of self-isolation and self-isolation regime.
But even after the precautions were lifted and people resumed normal activities, it remained higher, according to a new study published on Feb. 12. 15 at JAMA Network Open.
The study is led by Monique M. Hedderson, Ph.D., research associate at Kaiser Permanente. Northern California Research Division – studied screen use by 228 children aged 4 to 12 in three US states.
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The researchers compared screen usage time over three periods: before the pandemic (July 2019 to March 2020), early in the pandemic (December 2020 to April 2021), and later during the pandemic (May 2021 to August 2021). ).
For children ages two to five, AACAP recommends limiting screen time to one hour on a weekday and three hours on weekends for non-educational screen time. (iStock)
Before the pandemic, the average total screen time was 4.4 hours per day.
In the first period of the pandemic, it increased to 6.15 hours a day.
Later, during the pandemic, children spent on average 5.51 hours per day on screens is still higher than before the pandemic.
These totals include both entertaining and educational use of the screen.
For children ages two and older, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends limiting screen time to two hours a day.
Dr. Zeyad Baker, New JerseyA doctor with more than a decade of experience in pediatrics is not surprised that the surge in screen time has continued since the pandemic.
“Once a child forms a habit, it’s hard to break it,” he told Fox News Digital via email.
“The pandemic brings with it many unintended consequences, one of which is screen time addiction.”
No matter what’s on the screen, research shows that excessive media use can cause a number of problems in children. (Cybergu.com)
While screen time was already a problem before the recreational pandemic, the doctor said it’s even harder to limit now that kids rely on digital devices for their schoolwork.
What is a healthy amount of daily screen time for kids?
For children ages two and older, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends limiting screen time to two hours a day.
According to his website, he does not encourage any use of the media by children under the age of two.
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) provides specific recommendations for each age group on its website.
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For children under 18 months, it is recommended to limit the use of the screen to video chat with an adult.
For ages 18 to 24 months, screens are recommended for educational programming only.
For children ages two to five, AACAP recommends a limit of one hour on weekdays and three hours on weekends for any non-educational screen time.
Numerous studies have linked excessive screen time to depressive symptoms in children.
It does not specify an hourly limit for children aged six and over, but recommends encouraging healthy habits and restriction of actions on the screen.
“Honestly, the least amount of screen time is good for kids,” says the doctor. Baker told Fox News Digital.
However, he acknowledged that it becomes harder for parents to moderate when kids need to do homework online, and he believes the quality of screen time plays a role in setting limits.
The study looked at screen use by 228 children aged 4 to 12 in three US states. (Fox News)
“I think if you spend family screen time at an educational level, or if kids are using screen time to delve into valuable information and topics with disabilities, it’s very different from browsing and absorbing nonsensical content online on an ongoing basis,” said Dr. Baker.
Excessive Screen Time Creates Risks
Regardless of what is happening on the screen, excessive use of multimedia can cause a number of problems for children.
These include sleep problems decreased academic performance, decreased physical activity, headaches, eye strain, and increased mood swings, according to the Cleveland Clinic website.
“The Short and Long-Term Consequences of Excessive Screen Time include obesity and reduced social skills,” Dr. Baker said.
“In addition, we are seeing increased social anxiety and mental health issues in children and adolescents.”
Parents should not limit screen time in a way that looks like punishment.
Numerous studies have linked excessive screen time to depressive symptoms in children.
“It’s not a coincidence that we treat more mental health or social problems with children today than any medical problems we face,” Dr. Baker said.
Tips for Healthy Screen Time
Dr. Baker recommends only allowing kids access to social media or certain TV channels on weekends and limiting screen time to academic content during the week.
However, he doesn’t think parents should limit screen time in a way that looks like punishment.
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“Instead, they should be encouraged to do other activities, like going outside to play,” he said.
“Not only is it good for physical health, adding activity and increased vitamin D levelsbut it’s also good for their mental health.”
One physician with more than a decade of experience in pediatrics believes that excessive screen time may be linked to increased social anxiety and mental health problems in children and adolescents. (Muhammed Selim Korkutata/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
Dr. Yamara Coutinho, a physician at Nemours Children’s Health in Pennsylvania, suggests keeping children’s bedrooms offline and without media.
They should also turn off their devices while eating and treat media as a privilege, she said.
“Parents can also set a good example by limiting the use of their own devices, especially when they are with their children,” she said.
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“Parents are also encouraged to review apps, video games, TV shows and movies before their children watch or use them,” she added.