In today’s digitized world, children are increasingly given access to screens at younger ages. Children spend an unprecedented amount of time in front of screens in the digital era which adversely affects their health and development. While personal devices can be used beneficially in moderation, prolonged screen exposure is associated with a myriad of negative effects.
Who has access to the internet?
5.35 billion people, or around 66% of the world (Pelchen).
Since 2000, the amount of broadband access in America has nearly doubled from 50% at the beginning of the millennium to over 90% in recent years (Hillyer). The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) defines broadband as “high-speed Internet access” which comes in the form of WiFi, fiber optic technology, cable modem services, or satellites. Furthermore, this trend in broadband growth is not exclusive to America: internet users make up over half of the global population today, whereas less than 7% of the world had Internet access.
Apple’s introduction of the iPod in 2001 and subsequent promotion of the iPhone was the spark that ignited a technological revolution regarding personal device usage.
Trends in cellphone use closely mirror the exponential increase in internet access after 2000. In 2020, the number of cellphone bill subscriptions surpassed eight billion, meaning that phones outnumbered humans (Hillyer).
How can screen time affect children’s health?
Early childhood development – In educational settings, devices can better children’s learning through electronic books and applications that support literacy. However, children under the age of three undergo a period of rapid development wherein they typically learn by using their senses to interact with three-dimensional environments (Cross). When screens are introduced to children at this stage, their natural tendencies to respond to critical stimuli are neglected. Studies cited by medical researcher Sudheer Kumar Muppalla and his colleagues found that prolonged exposure to electronic media causes motor skills and academic outcomes to suffer. One study showed a long-term connection between early screen exposure and poor cognition (Muppalla et al.). Essentially, students who experienced increased screen time were less likely to participate in the classroom and perform well on tests.
Social-emotional development – Studies show that increased screen time reduces the quality and number of interactions children have with their parents (Mupalla et al.). This is significant because young, impressionable children mimic and learn from their parents, leading to fewer chances for them to practice interpersonal skills when these interactions are reduced. Links between behavioral disorders and screen time can be observed among preteens (Berthold). Algorithms and streaming platforms can “hook kids” because the videos and shows are not set, so they have access to unlimited content at all hours of the day.
Physical health – Exposure to harsh blue light late at night blocks the production of melatonin, disrupting one’s circadian rhythm. This shortens teens’ sleep cycles in particular, which results in sleepiness during the day and below-average academic performance. Lack of sleep, movement, and poor dietary habits in the younger generation are implications of increased screen time that can cause obesity (Nakshine et al.). The sedentary lifestyle connected to device usage also leads to high blood pressure and cholesterol, which are major indicators of cardiovascular disease.
What are some preventative measures?
General screen time guidelines from the National Institute of Health (NIH) are as follows:
“Children under age 2 should have no screen time.
Limit screen time to 1 to 2 hours a day for children aged 2 and over.
Despite what ads may say, videos that are aimed at very young children do not improve their development.”
Regardless of the challenges presented by electronic media, primary caretakers, such as parents, have direct control over children’s internet access. Unmonitored screen time is a hazard, so restrictive measures are popular among parents to limit screen time (Muppalla et al.). For example, parental controls in device settings are one possible method. Additional strategies are outlined in “Screen Time and Children” from the MedlinePlus medical encyclopedia.
Works Cited
Berthold, Jess. “Is Too Much Screen Time Bad for Kids? It’s Complicated | UC San Francisco.” Www.ucsf.edu, 19 Dec. 2022, www.ucsf.edu/news/2022/12/424481/too-much-screen-time-bad-kids-its-complicated.
Cross, Jennifer. “What Does Too Much Screen Time Do to Kids’ Brains?” NewYork-Presbyterian, Health Matters, 8 Aug. 2019, healthmatters.nyp.org/what-does-too-much-screen-time-do-to-childrens-brains/.
Hillyer, Madeleine. “Here’s How Technology Has Changed the World since 2000.” World Economic Forum, World Economic Forum, 18 Nov. 2020, www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/11/heres-how-technology-has-changed-and-changed-us-over-the-past-20-years/.
Kaneshiro, Neil. “Screen Time and Children: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia.” Medlineplus.gov, 24 May 2021, medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000355.htm.
Muppalla, Sudheer Kumar, et al. “Effects of Excessive Screen Time on Child Development: An Updated Review and Strategies for Management.” Cureus, vol. 15, no. 6, June 2023, https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.40608. PubMed Central.
Nakshine, Vaishnavi S., et al. “Increased Screen Time as a Cause of Declining Physical, Psychological Health, and Sleep Patterns: A Literary Review.” Cureus, vol. 14, no. 10, Oct. 2022, www.cureus.com/articles/112862-increased-screen-time-as-a-cause-of-declining-physical-psychological-health-and-sleep-patterns-a-literary-review.
Pelchen, Lexie. “Internet Usage Statistics in 2024.” Forbes Home, 1 Mar. 2024, www.forbes.com/home-improvement/internet/internet-statistics/#:~:text=There%20are%205.35%20billion%20internet%20users%20worldwide.&text=Out%20of%20the%20nearly%208. Assessed and Endorsed by the MedReport Medical Review Board