A study has found that screen time in children is linked to problematic behaviors. There are a lot of parents out there who are growing increasingly worried about the amount of time their children spend on screens, and what this can mean for their health and development. However, we live in a world where it remains difficult to keep them off them, especially when we live through a global pandemic. Parents are under increased pressure and this can make it easy to give their child devices and put on the TV to get a moment to do some work or just have a break.When it comes to the effects that this can have on children, all moms can go on is the studies that come out regarding the subject. According to Medical Xpress, a new study was done that found that screen time is linked to problematic behaviors in children.This study was done by researchers from the University of Calgary, and it can be read in full here. It involved children under the age of 12, and it was a systematic review and meta-analysis. The reassuring news is that the increase they found was “small,” however, they are stating that it is significant and worth taking note of.The researchers looked at 87 previous studies that had more than 150,000 participants, and they found that an increased duration of screen time had a small correlation with ‘externalizing problems.’ These problems were aggression and inattention, as well as anxiety and depression, or ‘internalizing’ problems.This study is stating that the longer a child spends on screens, their display of behavior gets worse. This could mean that screen time is OK, but it should be limited and monitored by the parents to make sure their children are not spending too much time on them.
The researchers also stated that more work needs to be done to look specifically at screen time and the impact that it has, as it doesn’t seem to be going away anytime soon. There has always been a saying in life that everything is fine, as long as it is in moderation and screen time may not be any different.
Mom may want to evaluate how much time her child is spending in front of screens, and try and find a limiting schedule that works for her family. However, we know that it can be easier said than done.
Sources: Medical Xpress, JAMA Psychiatry