The Impacts of Extended Screen Time on Children's Health and Development
The Impact of Increased Screen Time on Child Development - Prolonged Screen Time's Impact on Children: Analysis of Short-Term and Long-Term Effects
Children around the globe are increasingly spending a significant amount of time in front of screens for activities such as TikTok, online gaming, or learning. In Germany, youth stand out for their extreme usage. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) warns in a new study about the potential consequences, including depression, an unhealthy body image, and feelings of loneliness. However, the research findings are not always clear.
Screen Time Quantity:
Children become familiar with screens at a very young age, and their screen time rapidly escalates. Seven to twelve-year-olds in France already spend over two hours a day in front of a screen. Fifteen-year-olds in Germany spend nearly seven hours a day, which amounts to 48 hours a week—almost double the recommended limit by the Federal Center for Health Education.
Alarmingly, German youth are at the top of screen consumption, with 74% of 15-year-olds spending more than two hours a day on screens for entertainment. Only a few countries surveyed had higher rates, including Poland and Estonia.
The pandemic has boosted digital media usage significantly, as traditional activities were canceled, leading to increased screen time. Despite a slight decrease in media usage following the pandemic, the growing trend remains unabated.
Sleep Disruptions and Their Consequences:
Many questions about the health consequences remain unanswered, but it is clear that high media consumption, particularly in the evening, impairs sleep quality. Poor sleep in turn leads to increased fatigue, causing young people to prefer passive activities like watching TV the next day. It is detrimental when children and young people have their smartphone, computer, or television directly in their room.
Mental Health Concerns:
The mental health of young people has deteriorated significantly over the past 15 years, a trend that was further exacerbated by the pandemic. This period also saw a substantial increase in media usage, but the causal relationship remains uncertain.
Negative effects can occur through excessive use, cyberbullying, or encountering inappropriate content. "Studies suggest that problematic consumption increases the risk of depression, anxiety, loneliness, school difficulties, body image problems, and sleep disorders, with girls often being more vulnerable," it says.
Experts have raised concerns over the long-term impacts excessive screen time can have on the development of young minds. Toddlers require stimulation through touch, smell, and taste to understand the world. Screen time can't replicate this experience. For older children and young people, spending too much time on smartphones, computers, or television can hinder their ability to concentrate for extended periods.
More than half of 10-year-olds in Germany already have their own smartphone, with the number varying depending on social class. By the age of 15, almost all have their own device.
Not All Screen Time is Detrimental:
The authors emphasize the importance of distinguishing between different types of screen time. Applications such as e-books can aid children and young people in learning, particularly among girls and better-off young people. Merely turning off screens, then, is not the solution.
Parents, schools, media, and legislators should work together to create conditions under which children and young people may take advantage of the benefits provided by digital media while minimizing its drawbacks. Such measures include encouraging media literacy, promoting safe digital content, stronger advertising restrictions, and creating spaces for analog experiences.
Changing Habits:
Surveys reveal a growing desire among people in Germany to reduce their screen time. Every third person wished for more time offline, particularly among the younger generation.
The OECD analyzed several surveys, including the latest PISA study from 2022, in its overview study. The 38 member countries of the organization, including much of Europe, Japan, and Israel, participated in the study.
As digital media encroaches more into our lives, understanding its impacts on our health, learning, and emotional development becomes crucial. Parents, educators, and legislators should collaborate to ensure that children benefit from the opportunities provided by the digital world while managing the risks involved.
- Beyond entertainment and learning, the European Comission's Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture (ECSC) encourages an employment policy that promotes health-and-wellness initiatives, addressing concerns about excessive screen time and its effects on the mental health of young people.
- In the context of growing screen consumption among children, the integration of science and technology in school programs could provide opportunities for fostering mental health, wellness, and digital literacy, as part of comprehensive employment policy strategies for youth.
