How can screen time affect a child’s growth and development? As technology increasingly integrates into our lives, children are exposed to screens more than ever. Screens are almost everywhere; for example, while learning in innovative classes, watching television, playing video games, and using smartphones or tablets to take computer classes. Familiar presence raises concerns about the impact of excessive screen time on their development and well-being.
Excess screen media usage in children positively and negatively impacts their development and growth. However, screens can increase educational information and relevant learning most efficiently. On the other hand, studies have shown that excessive screen time also negatively affects executive functioning, sensorimotor development, and academic performance.
Research has shown that excessive screen time can lead to decreased emotional regulation and attention deficit symptoms in children. Understanding these impacts is crucial for parents in today’s digital age.
Several studies and research have also claimed that early screen exposure is directly associated with lower cognitive abilities, including academic performance, in later years. If you are worried about the same, this article is definitely for you.
Physical Health:
Excessive screen time can lead to a sedentary lifestyle, where children spend more time sitting and less engaging in physical activity. This lack of exercise can contribute to obesity and other health problems, such as poor posture and eye strain. Too much screen time before bedtime can also disrupt sleep patterns, leading to fatigue and irritability during the day.
Language Development:
Recent studies have claimed that excessive screen time in children, especially young children, can delay language development. This is because screens replace real-life interactions and conversations, vital to learning and developing a familiar language. Children learn speaking from listening to and engaging in conversations with others. However, they cannot interact with real people due to screen time, delaying their language development. Limiting screen time and encouraging more face-to-face interactions is recommended to support language development most effectively.
Emotional Well-being:
Excessive screen time has been directly linked to higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression in children. This is because it is connected with several factors, such as exposure to violent or inappropriate content, cyberbullying, and social comparison on social media. Moreover, screen time in limitless periods can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness. These symptoms may occur when your children rely more on online presence over real-life social interactions. These days, young children avoid fundamental life interactions and limit their social behavior. They are more addicted to their phone, tablet, or laptop screen, which leads to depression, stress, fear, and more.
Attention and Behavior:
Too much screen time can also affect a child’s attention span and behaviour. Research suggests that excessive screen time, especially in young children, may contribute to attention problems, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. This is because screens often provide constant stimulation and instant gratification, making it difficult for children to focus and regulate their behaviour in other settings.
Parent-Child Relationships:
If your child is more addicted to screens and spends excessive time on screen, it can negatively affect your relationship with them. The overuse of screens can strain parent and cold relationships and reduce opportunities for quality time and meaningful interactions. Children fully absorbed in screens often withdraw emotional connection with their parents. When parents and children spend more time on screens, they may have fewer opportunities to bond, communicate, and engage in shared activities. This can lead to feelings of disconnect and disconnection within the family unit.
Academic Performance:
Excessive screen time has been associated with lower academic achievement and poorer performance in school. Excessive screen time can interfere with homework completion, studying, and other educational responsibilities. Additionally, screens can be distracting and make it difficult for children to concentrate and retain information.
Though screens are vital for entertainment, education, and connectivity, excessive screen time negatively impacts our children and their overall health. Too much screen absorption affects your child’s growth and development process. It is crucial to set limits and boundaries to use the screen appropriately. For that, as a parent, you need to set limits on screen time and involve them in physical activities, healthy habits, and more.
Further, you can provide opportunities to your child for social interactions, creative play, and other activities. Parents can balance screen time and other activities by supporting their child’s well-being and development.
As a parent, your role plays a significant part in managing and improving their lifestyle by raising essential awareness, setting certain boundaries, and providing behavioral controls. Parents must set an example to make their children understand the right things and processes to reduce screen usage.
Parents, educators, caregivers, and healthcare professionals need to understand the potential risks of excessive screen usage and should implement strategies to promote healthy development in children.
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13 Comments
Yes, increase screen time causes various adverse effects on child’s development. and it is a huge challenge for parents in digital era. luckily, my girls got their own hold as they become teenagers. and now, I do not worry about this aspect any more.
Anything in excess is bad and when it comes to screen time as you rightly said it has a greater negative impact on overall well being of a child. Lack of focus, lack of good sleep and all these impacts on their mental, emotional and physical health.
Excess of anything leads to multiple problems, and kids are so much getting influenced by the videos they watch which needs to be monitored and controlled.
Absolutely,Deepika! You’ve brought up such an important topic. It’s so important for us parents to be mindful of how much screen time our kids are getting.Your advice about setting limits and encouraging other activities is spot on. It’s all about finding that balance. Thanks for sharing these valuable insights.
Finding the right balance is the key here, thank you.
Screen Time is indeed a key issue that We as parents need to address. Technology with all its benefits and access to knowledge also has a flip side. As in everything else, what needs to be done is to maintain a fine balance and communicate clearly with the children.
Thnx for sharing these tips. Screen time is definitely not that good in excess. Have tried few methods and truly helped.
Glad you like it, thank you.
I have experienced this first hand, anything in excess can never be good for anyone. The changed I have noticed in my kids after reducing the screen time is immense, we have to keep them busy, in short keep our phones down too 🙂
Thank you, Dipika, for your insightful blog post on ‘How does Screen Time Influence Child Growth And Development?’ It’s such an important topic, and your thorough analysis really shed light on the complexities involved. Your research and clear explanations make a valuable contribution to understanding this issue better. Keep up the great work!
I totally agree Dipika, excessive screen time is what most of us parents are seeing our children getting harmed by but despite trying hard it cannot be avoided only minimised because even the schools have started working on WhatsApp groups
Insightful article on the influence of screen time on child growth. Understanding its impact can help parents make informed decisions about their children’s screen usage for a healthier upbringing.
Thank you for stopping by, glad you like the information.