The pros and cons of screentime are always something that is considered when it comes to kids, but do you know how much screentime is a good thing and how much is too much for anyone? The experts do:
How much screentime is too much for kids?
Here’s a scary thought…Scientists have discovered that screentime in large amounts can alter the very structure of our brain, limiting cognitive function. That’s a pretty frightening fact and even more concerning when it comes to our children.
So what is a parent to do? Here’s what the experts say based on scientific research. The American Academy of Pediatrics discourages screentime, except for video chatting, for children up to 18 months and limited to under an hour a day for children from two to five years of age.
As parents, of course, how much you limit your child’s screentime is completely up to you, but here are some proven facts you may want to take into account:
- The reduction of physical activity caused by excessive screentime can lead to obesity, health issues such as heart disease and poor social development for children.
- Additionally, because children have larger pupils, researchers have found that the blue light from screens can be worse for children than adults; and extended direct exposure to blue light can cause retinal damage.
- Finally, excessive use of a cellphone or computer keyboard can cause repetitive use injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis.
How much is too much screentime for adults?
Experts also concur that even adults should attempt to limit their screentime outside of work to under two hours per day, and for good reason. Too much screentime for anyone can lead to headaches, eye strain, neck, shoulder and back pain, poor sleep and insomnia. As we all know, it is virtually impossible to avoid screentime in today’s technology-driven world; but the more time we spend looking at a screen, the less time we have for healthy, face-to-face interaction with the people we love, and the more sedentary we tend to become – at any age.