Children's decreased screen time in front of monitors.
Families sometimes have disputes over how to manage screen usage. Many parents worry that their kids are spending too much time in front of screens. A recent study sheds light on how families can help their children reduce their screen time.
According to a team of researchers in the US, families can implement certain rules at home to limit their children's screen usage. The researchers interviewed over 10,000 12-13-year-olds and their parents in the United States about their media habits.
The study found that families where family members used screens during mealtimes had children who used smartphones, tablets, TVs, and computers for a longer period. Additionally, if children were allowed to use devices in bed before sleeping, they displayed problematic behavior in social media, video games, and on their phones. Implementing bans on screens at the table and in bed had a positive effect, as children spent less than an hour on screens.
What doesn't work
The study's lead author, Jason Nagata from the University of California, highlighted another crucial point: Parents should reduce their own screen usage in front of their children. "Lead by example," he suggested. The data showed that if parents frequently used devices in front of their children, the children tended to spend more time looking at screens.
Two commonly used parental measures didn't prove effective, according to the study. For example, the practice of rewarding good behavior with screen time and taking it away for misbehavior actually led to longer screen usage.
Screen time impacts sleep
The researchers reported that excessive screen use can result in physical and mental health issues, such as obesity and sleep problems. Nagata explained, "Excessive screen time before bedtime interferes with the sleep that is essential for the well-being and development of young adolescents." He advised parents to keep devices like smartphones, laptops, and others out of their children's bedrooms and turn them off.
Another group of researchers, consisting of experts in social sciences, psychology, and psychiatry, specifically focused on the usage of social media. They recommended that parents set rules for children's accounts on apps such as YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, and others before they first use them. Generally, they suggested allowing children to have their own accounts only after the age of 13. These guidelines were published in a consensus paper in the journal "Addictive Behaviors".
Incomplete brain development before 13
The authors of the social sciences, psychology, and psychiatry study argued that children under 13 should not be given access to these media, as a critical part of their brains is still developing. They also found a connection between early use and addictive behavior. However, they suggested that it could be beneficial for children to explore social media with their parents before they turn 13, in order to better prepare the family.
The study also mentioned research indicating that parents who are overly active on social media encourage their children to mimic their behavior.
