Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
New York Post
Kids’ screen time should be cut to this surprisingly low number of hours a week, experts say
By Adriana Diaz,
20 hours ago
Less screen time means less bad behavior.
In as little as two weeks, parents could see significant improvements in their child’s mental health and behavior by reducing children’s leisure screen time to just three hours weekly, according to a new published in JAMA Network Open .
Reducing children’s leisure screen time to just three hours per week can lead to significant improvements in their mental health and behavior in as little as two weeks, according to a new published in JAMA Network Open. Getty Images/iStockphoto
On average, children spend seven to eight hours per day on screens for entertainment. However, when children drastically reduced their screen time they showed significant improvements in their overall behavior and emotional well-being.
Researchers from the University of Southern Denmark analyzed data collected from 89 families with 181 children and adolescents between four and 17 years old.
On average, children spend seven to eight hours per day on screens for entertainment. Getty Images/iStockphoto
Those who did found that their child improved internalizing symptoms — behaviors that are often hidden reactions to emotions and stress — and their prosocial behavior — those intended to benefit others.
When children drastically reduced their screen time they showed significant improvements in their overall behavior and emotional well-being. Getty Images
Kids who changed their habits experienced a decrease in behavioral difficulties moving from the “borderline” category to the “normal” category, according to the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire standardized assessment.
Previous research published in JAMA Pediatrics has shown that children should be prohibited from screen time until the age of 3 as it can lead to developmental delays.
The researchers also discovered that the amount of screen time the babies were permitted and their age directly impacted their development. Each hour of daily screen time increased the child’s chances of exhibiting sensory problems by 23% at 18 months but dropped to 20% at 24 months.
The one exception is video chatting — as the social benefits are likely helpful to a child’s development.
For the latest in lifestyle, top headlines, breaking news and more, visit nypost.com/lifestyle/
Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
Welcome to NewsBreak, an open platform where diverse perspectives converge. Most of our content comes from established publications and journalists, as well as from our extensive network of tens of thousands of creators who contribute to our platform. We empower individuals to share insightful viewpoints through short posts and comments. It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency: our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. We strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation. Join us in shaping the news narrative together.
Comments / 0