Community - Kids are spending less time in front of screens.
According to a group of researchers working in the US, limiting the amount of time your kids spend in front of screens is as simple as implementing a few rules at home. This idea was shared in a journal article published under the title "Pediatric Research," where more than 10,000 teenagers aged 12 and 13 years and their parents contributed to the study.
Apparently, there's a significant relationship between the use of screens during meal times and the number of hours children spend on devices such as smartphones, tablets, TVs, and computers. They also found a connection between screen usage in bed before sleeping and increased screen time for teenagers, along with problematic usage of social media, video games, and phones. The solution to these issues is by banning screens from the dinner table and in bed. This small change resulted in an average reduction of screen time by less than 90 minutes.
Limitations of parental controls
The study also highlights an important point – the need for parents to set an example. Jason Nagata, a researcher from the University of California, suggests cutting back on personal screen usage in front of kids because they often imitate their parents' behavior. Two common parental strategies, bans and incentives, proved ineffective, according to the research. For example, a rule like "If you behave well, you get screen time; if you misbehave, you don't get screen time" actually increased the amount of time children spent using screens.
Impact on sleep
The group stresses that excessive screen time can lead to health problems such as weight gain, behavioral issues, and sleep disturbances. When children spend too much time with devices close to bedtime, they could suffer from sleep deprivation, Nagata explained, which affects their health and development in the long run. To avoid this, he advises keeping devices like smartphones, laptops, and other gadgets away from their bedrooms and turning them off completely.
Additional guidance
A second research team, led by Christian Montag from the University of Ulm, explored the use of social media as well. Their recommendation for parents is to establish rules about popular apps like YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, and the like, before their children start using them. They also suggest allowing kids to create separate accounts on these platforms only once they reach the age of 13. These guidelines were outlined in a consensus paper published in the journal "Addictive Behaviors."
More brain development needed
Scientists in the fields of social sciences, psychology, and psychiatry, generally discourage children under 13 from using such platforms, as some crucial parts of their brain are still developing. There's also evidence linking early use of social media with addictive tendencies. However, it's advisable to let children experience social media with their parents before they turn 13, so the family can be better equipped when the teen reaches this age.
One crucial contribution from this second study is understanding the parental influence. If parents are excessively involved in social media, they're more likely to inadvertently encourage their children to follow their example.
