The Impact of Excessive Screen Time on the Health of Teens and Kids

Imagine spending over seven hours a day—more than 43% of your waking hours—staring at digital devices such as smartphones, tablets and video games. For teenagers, this staggering average of 7 hours and 22 minutes is like watching an entire season of a TV show every single day.  As parents, we have valid reasons to be concerned about our children’s screen time. 

Let’s see how excessive screen time impacts teenagers, from its effects on physical and mental health to its influence on social interactions and overall development. We’ll also share practical strategies for parents to manage screen time and help their kids maintain a balanced digital lifestyle.

The Rise of Screen Time Among Teens and Kids

Screentime has been on the rise for the past decade, but the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the situation.  It is estimated that during the pandemic, daily screen time among 11 to 17-year-olds rose by an average of 0.9 hours. As lockdowns eased, one might have expected screen time to decrease; however, evidence suggests otherwise. By the third quarter of 2021, global average screen time remained higher than the same period of the previous year. 

Even though educational apps are designed to enhance learning, their engaging nature can lead to increased screen time usage, potentially overshadowing the intended educational benefits.

Physical Health Impacts of Excessive Screen Time

Screen addiction is more than just a bad habit for our kids; it can lead to some serious physical health issues, including obesity, sleep disruptions, and vision problems. Let’s break these down a bit.

Obesity

More time spent in front of screens often translates to more unhealthy eating. Kids who log a lot of screen hours typically munch on energy-dense snacks and fast food instead of fruits and veggies.

A survey showed that a staggering 89% of children were exposed to screens during meals, and 77% reported eating snacks between main meals. It’s startling to think that many children consume up to one-third of their daily calories while glued to a screen!

This is partly because they (and, let’s be honest, we) tend to eat mindlessly, often distracted by what they’re watching, which can lead to overeating.  To make matters worse, they’re bombarded with food ads, which can make those unhealthy choices even more tempting.  

But it’s not just about what they’re eating; it’s also about how they’re moving—or not moving. In the past, children would spend their days running around outside, playing tag, or riding bikes. Now, much of that time is spent sitting in one place, glued to screens. This shift to a more sedentary way of life can significantly contribute to the rising rates of obesity among children. 

Sleep Disruptions

Screen time isn’t just affecting kids during the day—it’s also impacting their sleep. Our brain relies on the natural dimming of light in the evening to trigger the production of melatonin, the hormone that helps us sleep. However, device screens emit blue light, which interferes with this process by suppressing melatonin, making it harder for kids to wind down at night.

Even when doing relaxing activities online, the light itself can delay sleep, and more stimulating activities—like playing video games or chatting with friends—can keep the brain too busy to calm down. Lack of sleep or poor-quality sleep caused by too much screen time can lead to daytime drowsiness, trouble concentrating, and even long-term health issues like obesity, heart problems, and anxiety. 

Vision Problems

We cannot ignore the toll excessive screen time takes on kids’ eye health. Long-term exposure to blue light from screens can contribute to digital eye strain, leading to discomfort, headaches, and blurred vision. While the level of blue light from screens is much lower than that of the sun, its cumulative effect on our eyes—especially when glued to devices for hours—can’t be ignored. Symptoms like headaches and dry eyes are becoming increasingly common among children.

There’s also a growing concern about myopia or nearsightedness. This condition can worsen over time, potentially leading to more severe vision problems. Experts recommend the 20-20-20 rule as a way to alleviate some of these issues: for every 20 minutes of screen time, kids should take a 20-second break and look at something 20 feet away.

Mental Health Impacts of Excessive Screen Time

Excessive screen time has been increasingly linked to a variety of mental health concerns, particularly in children and adolescents. 

Anxiety and depression

Too much screen time, particularly through social media, has been linked to increased rates of anxiety and depression among children and adolescents. Social platforms often create environments where young people are bombarded with idealized portrayals of life, leading to constant comparisons. This comparison can trigger feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, and heightened stress.

The overstimulation from constantly being exposed to digital content can also overwhelm young minds, making it harder for them to process emotions, which contributes to cycles of anxiety. The never-ending stream of notifications and messages can also create a sense of pressure to stay connected or fear of missing out (FOMO).

Attention problems

The rapid pace and variety of content on digital platforms can make it harder for children to focus on tasks that require sustained attention. Children today are increasingly shifting between different apps, videos, and games within minutes, which can weaken their ability to concentrate on activities like schoolwork, which requires patience and deeper focus.

For children with ADHD, overstimulation from constant online activity can worsen ADHD symptoms such as hyperactivity and impulsivity, affecting children’s mood and overall well-being. The need for instant gratification from screens makes it more challenging for them to develop perseverance in areas that don’t provide immediate rewards.

Behavioral issues

Another consequence of excessive screen time, especially when it involves exposure to violent content, is an increase in behavioral problems. Many video games, movies, and online platforms feature aggressive or violent themes, which can desensitize children to violence. Spending more time on screens can isolate children from real-world social interactions, limiting their opportunities to develop emotional regulation skills. 

Social and Developmental Impacts

Screen addiction can significantly affect children’s social interactions and the development of essential skills. Here are some of the main impacts:

• Excessive screen time reduces real-world experiences, potentially leaving children less skilled in navigating social situations and forming relationships.

• Screen-based activities are often solitary, limiting opportunities for group play, sharing, conflict resolution, and cooperative learning.

• Without real-world interactions, children may struggle to develop empathy. Digital communication lacks emotional depth, and may find it difficult to understand others’ feelings and perspectives.

The impact of screen time is even more evident in language development and face-to-face communication skills

• Screen time, especially passive consumption of content, limits interactions, which can result in delayed speech and limited vocabulary.

• Screen time reduces the frequency and quality of conversations between children and their parents. This can slow down the development of language and conversational skills, as children need active engagement to learn and practice communication.

• Many screen-based activities prioritize entertainment over educational content. Even in educational apps, the one-way communication of screen time can’t match the depth of interaction found in real-world conversations.

The Role of Content

The type of content children consume on screens significantly influences their psychological development and overall well-being. Here are some key points to consider regarding the impact of such content:

• Exposure to violent content can lead to increased aggression in children. 

• Media portrayals can create unrealistic expectations about relationships and social interactions. Children may struggle to form healthy connections based on distorted views of love and friendship.

• Content that reinforces traditional gender roles can perpetuate harmful stereotypes, influencing their attitudes toward one another.

• Exposure to racist attitudes and stereotypes can normalize prejudice, hindering the development of empathy and understanding toward others. This can lead to discriminatory beliefs and behaviors.

• Access to content promoting extremist ideologies can foster intolerance. 

• Media often depict gossip and rumors as social currency. Exposure to such behavior can influence children’s understanding of friendships and loyalty, leading them to replicate toxic interactions in real life.

• The pressure to conform to unrealistic standards portrayed in media can lead to feelings of isolation, inadequacy, and anxiety, further affecting children’s mental health.

• Explicit and suggestive content can expose children to inappropriate sexual messages or behaviors, which may lead to confusion about healthy relationships and boundaries. This can prematurely sexualize children or distort their perceptions of intimacy and consent.

How Mobicip Can Help Manage Screen Time

Mobicip is a powerful tool designed to help parents manage their children’s screen time and ensure they engage with appropriate content. Here’s how it can make a difference:

• Time management: Mobicip helps parents set time limits for screen usage, encouraging a healthy balance between screen time and other activities like outdoor play or family interactions.

• Content filtering: Mobicip allows parents to filter out inappropriate content, ensuring children are only exposed to age-appropriate material. This helps protect them from harmful psychological effects.

• Customizable controls: Parents can customize settings based on their child’s age and maturity level, enabling them to block specific types of content or categories that may not align with their values.

• Activity monitoring: The platform provides insights into children’s online activities, allowing parents to stay informed about what their children are watching and how much time they spend on different types of content.

• Discussion facilitation: By utilizing Mobicip’s monitoring features, parents can initiate conversations with their children about the content they consume, fostering critical thinking and media literacy.

Start your free 7-day trial of Mobicip, and let us help you make digital use safe for your children.

Parental strategies for managing screen time

Managing screen time is vital for promoting healthy habits in children. Here are some effective strategies for parents:

1. Establish specific screen time limits based on age and needs, and create a daily schedule to outline when screen use is allowed.
2. Discuss the reasons behind screen time limits to help children understand their importance.
3. Model healthy screen habits yourself, as children are more likely to follow suit.
4. Replace screen time with outdoor play, reading, arts and crafts, board games, or cooking together. These activities promote physical health, creativity, and family bonding.
5. Use apps like Mobicip to set screen time limits, filter content, and monitor online activities. Many devices also offer built-in parental controls to help manage usage effectively.

FAQs

How much screen time is too much for kids?

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends limiting screen time to no more than one hour per day for children aged 2 to 5 years. For older children and teenagers, it’s essential to establish consistent screen time guidelines that include balancing screen time with other activities. This helps combat screen addiction and ensures a healthy screen time experience.

What are the signs that my child is spending too much time on screens?

Signs of excessive screen time may include:

• Declining academic performance
• Increased irritability or mood swings
• Withdrawal from family or social interactions
• Difficulty sleeping or sleep disruptions related to screen time
• Complaints of physical issues like digital eye strain
• Changes in appetite or unhealthy eating habits linked to screen time and obesity

What are the best parental control apps for managing screen time?

One of the top parental control apps for managing screen time and encouraging healthy habits is Mobicip. It offers comprehensive features such as:

• Screen Time Management: Easily set time limits to ensure balanced tech use.
• Content Filtering: Protect children from inappropriate content with customizable filters across multiple devices.
• Usage Monitoring: Track app usage and online activity to help prevent screen addiction.
• Cross-Device Coverage: Manage screen time and content on all family devices from a single account.

With its user-friendly interface and robust features, Mobicip provides parents with the tools needed to promote healthy screen time habits.