Kids & Screens During COVID

Summary

The website content discusses the impact of increased screen time among teens during the COVID-19 pandemic and suggests that while parents are concerned, the scientific literature indicates limited evidence of negative effects, emphasizing the importance of sleep, exercise, and diet alongside screen time.

Abstract

Since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent shelter-in-place orders, teens have been spending more time on screens due to virtual schooling and limited outdoor activities. While many parents are worried about the potential negative effects of this increased screen time on their children's development, research suggests that the concerns may be overstated. A comprehensive analysis of over 35,000 studies, involving more than 350,000 children, reveals that screen time itself does not have a significant negative impact on child development. The key factors for maintaining well-being are sufficient sleep, regular exercise, and a balanced diet. For teens, screens serve as a crucial lifeline for social connections, which are vital for their social-emotional development, especially when in-person interactions are restricted. The article encourages parents to engage with their teens about their online activities rather than focusing solely on the duration of screen time.

Opinions

Parents are generally concerned that excessive screen time may harm their teenagers' development.
The scientific literature, including a summary of over 35,000 research studies, suggests that screen time does not inherently have a negative impact on children's development.
The importance of social interaction for teens is paramount, and during times of isolation, digital interaction becomes a necessary means for maintaining social connections and well-being.
Negative effects of screen time are minimal when teens also get enough sleep, exercise, and have a healthy diet.
Parents should shift their focus from the quantity of screen time to the quality of their teens' digital interactions and overall lifestyle habits.

Kids & Screens During COVID

Since the announcement to shelter-in-place to limit the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) some three-plus months ago, paired with remote working for many parents and the introduction of virtual schooling; the amount of time that teens spend on their screens has significantly increased.

Many parents believe that excessive screen time will negatively affect their child’s development. Yet, the reality is that parents have limited options to keep teens occupied when venturing out of the house is discouraged, and the need to attend zoom meetings or simply get work done arises.

Are parents right to be worried about the number of time teens spend on their devices? What does the scientific literature have to say about the relationship between screen time and ‘normal’ teen development? Are we ‘throwing the baby out with the bathwater’ or are there benefits to digital interactions that are being overlooked?

The human brain is designed for social interaction and not for isolation. What the research is showing is that for teens, their friends, peer group, and social network is central to their identity and sense of well being. Teens are disproportionately affected compared to young children or adults during shelter-in-place.

Teens have very limited opportunity to interact with friends other than through their screens, for many, their phone or computer is a ‘lifeline’ to their world. It’s a way to stay connected and reduce the stress of not knowing when they’ll see their friends again if they’ll become sick or someone they care about does when school will reopen and normal life resume. Healthy social-emotional development is predicated on building close positive relationships with peers, if that needs to be via the internet at present; so be it.

The infographic summarises over 35,000 research studies across the world and has tested over 350,000 children, overall there is very limited evidence of the negative impact of screen time per se. Research findings that factor in childhood neglect and abuse, or pre-existing mental disorders does not seem to support the intuitive idea that screen time negatively impacts a child’s development. Moreover, research studies that do report a negative association between screen time and well-being, those effects are insignificant when teens get sufficient sleep, exercise, and eat a balanced diet.

Parents are encouraged to not worry about the amount of screen time but discuss with their teens what videos they watch on YouTube, online games they play and with whom, and get them to FaceTime a friend.

Life

Kids & Screens During COVID

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