Screen Time Linked to Child Psychological Problems

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Children who spend longer than two hours in front of a computer or television screen are more likely to suffer psychological difficulties, regardless of how physically active they are.

The PEACH project, a study of over a 1,000 children aged between ten and 11, measured the time children spent in front of a screen as well as their psychological well being. In addition, an activity monitor recorded both children's sedentary time and moderate physical activity.

The results showed that more than two hours per day of both television viewing and recreational computer use were related to higher psychological difficulty scores, regardless of how much time the children spent on physical activity.

The authors of the report, published in the November edition of the American journal Pediatrics, conclude that limiting children's screen time may be important for ensuring children's future health and wellbeing.

According to the activity monitor, the children in the study who spent more time sedentary had better psychological scores overall. Those children who did more moderate physical activity fared better in certain psychological areas, including emotional and peer problems, but fared worse in some areas related to behavior, including hyperactivity.

Lead author Dr Angie Page from the University of Bristol's Center for Exercise, Nutrition and Health Sciences said:

"Whilst low levels of screen viewing may not be problematic, we cannot rely on physical activity to 'compensate' for long hours of screen viewing."

"Watching TV or playing computer games for more than two hours a day is related to greater psychological difficulties irrespective of how active children are."

Children's psychological wellbeing was assessed on the basis of a strengths and difficulties questionnaire which rated their emotional, peer, conduct and hyperactivity problems.

The children were asked to rate a series of statements as true on a three-point scale, varying from not true, to somewhat true to certainly true.

Statements to assess their emotional wellbeing included; 'I am often unhappy, down-hearted or tearful', while statements to assess their peer problems included; 'I am usually on my own', 'I generally play alone or keep to myself'.

This work was supported by the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF UK) and the National Prevention Research Initiative.

Resources That Provide Relevant Information

• Link Between Child TV Time and Metabolic Syndrome
• Use of Electronic Devices to Calm Kids
• When Children Are Allowed TV and Games in Bedroom
• Gaming Disorder Disability: Video Game Addiction (VGA)
• Too much TV, Video and Computer Can Make Teens Fatter
• Link Between Excessive Screen Time and Teen Suicide Risk

Attribution/Source(s):

This peer reviewed publication titled "Screen Time Linked to Child Psychological Problems" was chosen for publishing by Disabled World's editors due to its relevance to our readers in the disability community. While the content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity, it was originally authored by University of Bristol and published 2010/10/11 (Edit Update: 2023/07/24). For further details or clarifications, you can contact University of Bristol directly at bristol.ac.uk. Please note that Disabled World does not provide any warranties or endorsements related to this article.

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Cite This Page (APA): University of Bristol. (2010, October 11). Screen Time Linked to Child Psychological Problems. Disabled World. Retrieved April 18, 2024 from www.disabled-world.com/health/pediatric/screen-time.php

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