It’s no surprise that we all spend too much time on our devices. Between computers, Smartphones, tablets, and TVs, sometimes it seems like we simply shift from one device to another. Adults log about 11 hours of screen time per day, according to a 2014 Nielsen report.
Rarely do people stop and consider whether all this screen time is healthy for them. In adults, too much screen time may increase the risk of weight gain, diabetes, and heart disease, partially due to sitting for extended periods of time. Excessive screen time has also been linked to poor posture and neck pain, and poor sleep.
But that’s in adults. What about children? The World Health Organization (WHO) recently released a set of guidelines concerning screen time for kids. WHO recommended no screen time for the first year, no more than an hour a day for two-year-olds, and one hour a day of screen time for three- and four-year-olds. These guidelines are similar to the American Academy of Pediatrics, although the AAP guidelines focus more on the quality of screen time than the overall quantity.
Not all experts agree with WHO’s recommendations, noting that not all screen time is created equal. An educational game or TV show like Sesame Street, for instance, is very different than watching music videos on YouTube. And what parent, in a desperate attempt to get something done, hasn’t plopped their young child in front of the TV or handed over a Smartphone and tablet? All children are different, and there is no one correct way to parent. Limiting screen time for young children is ideal, but ultimately the correct balance is up to you. If you’re concerned about how much screen time is right for your child, I urge you to speak to your child’s pediatrician, who is in the best position to make recommendations that are right for your family.
