Children today have easy access to screens like tablets, phones, TVs, and video games. The effect that it has on the younger generation is detrimental and is taking away key parts of development in children. Excessive screen time in children is so normalized in today’s society that it is often overlooked as a problem that does not need attention. Doctors recommend that children under two years old have zero hours of screen time, and kids ages three to six have no more than one hour of screen time. Screen time has many negative effects mentally and physically, but should not be fully blamed on the kids.
A study from The Quebec Longitudinal Study of Child Development found that kids who spend more than the average screen time will face social challenges like anxiety, depression, and aggression. The concern with an abundance of screen usage with kids is that they lack the highly needed face to face interactions with other people, the ability to make friends, and outdoor play time.
Staring at an electronic device for hours as a child also has physical effects. Consistently sitting on a screen will lead to the missing of physical activity their bodies need in order to grow healthy and strong. Obesity rates within children have risen drastically. The Children Care Health and Development found that the children ages 2-5 who spend 2 hours or more on screens are about 1.67 times more likely to get obese than those who do not. The obesity increase is because of the extended amount of time that kids are sitting behind a screen. Many of the kids doing this are accompanied by snacking and over time. These bad habits often lead to a high chance of obesity. On top of that, too much screen time in children can interfere with students’ sleep which is very important for kids who are continuously growing and developing. The main effect comes from blue light. Blue light screens disrupt the body’s normal sleep cycle and make it harder for them to fall asleep. That leads to lack of sleep that can potentially affect their in school performance and causes fatigue.
The idea of children being on screens in general, sitting behind a screen, not living the kid life they are supposed to have is saddening. Children are supposed to be playing outside, exploring new things, and using their imagination. Screens take away many important experiences from children, which is negatively impacting the way they develop.
It might not be expected, but most of the time kids develop their screen addiction because of their parents. The children should not be the ones to be blamed because they are just kids, of course they would want to watch their favorite show all day. Parents should take responsibility for what is right for their children to do.
Younger children need to either be on a strict time restriction on screens, or be away from them at all times. The many negative effects is not helping the younger generation. Setting limits is necessary because it helps them grow in healthy ways and allows them to live the childhood they are meant to live by.
