In recent years, teen screen time has become a serious issue for many concerned parents. But while this problem seems to affect people of all ages, a recent post by sciencedaily.com suggests that children aged 2 to 17 are the most vulnerable group.
Recent studies indicate that the more time your child spends in front of a screen, the lower his/her overall sense of well-being. Naturally, the best way to avoid this is by restricting your child’s use of digital devices.
But let’s take a closer look at the negative effects of too much screen time.
Teen screen time associated with depression and anxiety
In the study presented by Science Daily, researchers discovered that children who spend too much time in front of the TV or computer have a higher chance of being diagnosed with depression or anxiety.
Considering that digital devices have become a huge part of our everyday life, and our children’s as well, it’s up to us as parents to act responsibly and be good examples for them.
The effects of only one hour of screen time per day
Although it may sound a bit hard to believe, researchers suggest that only one hour of screen time per day is enough to produce some serious adverse effects. Some of the harmful effects include:
- Less curiosity.
- Lower self-control.
- Less emotional stability.
- Difficulties in finishing tasks.
- Less interest in learning activities.
According to Jean Twenge, a psychologist at San Diego State University, the multitude of negative effects may be because teens, in general, spend more time in front of the screen than any other age group.
All and all, what’s essential for all of us to remember is that we as parents are responsible for keeping teen screen time in check.
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