Prevalence and Determinants of Excessive Screen Time in Children
Exposure to digital screens has undergone a massive increase. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, screen viewing time (SVT) has increased drastically for both parents and children watching TV and using mobile devices. Schools were forced to go online by the pandemic, which gave rise to excessive SVT. SVT can be defined as the total time spent on any digital or electronic device. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children less than two years of age should not have any kind of SVT and that one hour of SVT per day is considered excessive among children ages two to five. Studies meant to determine the frequency, risk factors, and effects of excessive SVT have become more popular.
A study done on children in India identifies some risk factors of SVT, including usage of a mobile device before bedtime, not reading books other than textbooks, and a lack of outdoor activities for more than two hours. In addition, children with TV sets in their bedrooms were more prone to excessive SVT, such that the AAP urges children’s bedrooms to be free of any screens and to withdraw from any screen-based activity 30 minutes before bedtime.
A study done on children in India identifies some risk factors of SVT, including usage of a mobile device before bedtime, not reading books other than textbooks, and a lack of outdoor activities for more than two hours. In addition, children with TV sets in their bedrooms were more prone to excessive SVT, such that the AAP urges children’s bedrooms to be free of any screens and to withdraw from any screen-based activity 30 minutes before bedtime.
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An accompanying study from China shows that for every hour that children watch TV, the risk of sleep disorder increases by 12.35%. Sleep disorders occur through the displacement hypothesis as well as the blue light effect. The displacement hypothesis proposes that the more time spent viewing screens leads to less time spent on other activities such as sleep. In other words, the amount of time spent on SVT simply replaces or displaces the amount of time spent on sleep. Blue light refers to one of the colors in the light spectrum that is visible to the human eye, and although largely emitted by the sun, it is also emitted from device screens. Thus, the use of screen-based devices may expose children to blue light that reduces the quality of sleep and delays the time it takes to fall asleep.
Excessive SVT is also correlated with headaches and dry eye symptoms. One study from New Zealand shows that the association between headaches and mobile phone use was found to be 51% among girls and 24% among boys. Excessive SVT also increases the risk of the development of migraines later in life. With regards to dry eye symptoms, digital devices have been associated with tear film instability, which increases excessive SVT. Tear film is a type of fluid layer that covers the outside of our eye to keep bacteria out and help focus the eye so it can see properly. Tear film instability involves a decrease of this fluid layer and is harmful to sight and overall eye health. Blue light increases tear film instability because of its decrease in tear formation and tear secretion. Also, the more SVT one undergoes, the longer the time it takes to blink, leading to eye fatigue and dry eye symptoms. Ultimately, dry eye symptoms will affect the quality of sleep of children, but more importantly, will have a prolonged negative effect on daily life activities among adults.
As our digital age prevails, it is vital to take measures that decrease the time or effects that screens may have on our health. The consequences of reduced sleep, eye symptoms, and headaches may become a bigger issue as the younger population grows older as they can affect eye health, energy levels, and attention spans.
Excessive SVT is also correlated with headaches and dry eye symptoms. One study from New Zealand shows that the association between headaches and mobile phone use was found to be 51% among girls and 24% among boys. Excessive SVT also increases the risk of the development of migraines later in life. With regards to dry eye symptoms, digital devices have been associated with tear film instability, which increases excessive SVT. Tear film is a type of fluid layer that covers the outside of our eye to keep bacteria out and help focus the eye so it can see properly. Tear film instability involves a decrease of this fluid layer and is harmful to sight and overall eye health. Blue light increases tear film instability because of its decrease in tear formation and tear secretion. Also, the more SVT one undergoes, the longer the time it takes to blink, leading to eye fatigue and dry eye symptoms. Ultimately, dry eye symptoms will affect the quality of sleep of children, but more importantly, will have a prolonged negative effect on daily life activities among adults.
As our digital age prevails, it is vital to take measures that decrease the time or effects that screens may have on our health. The consequences of reduced sleep, eye symptoms, and headaches may become a bigger issue as the younger population grows older as they can affect eye health, energy levels, and attention spans.
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