Screen Time in Adolescence

Screen time regulation has remained a widely debated topic since the revolutionary iphone’s release in the early 2000’s. Since the unveiling of the iphone, people have questioned the benefits of screen time, and the role it plays in teenage development. Screen time affects brain development in adolescence by heightening the risk of sleep deprivation, depression and anxiety, as well as lower test scores.

Average Screen Time

The average screen time for teens 14-17 is roughly 7 hours and 22 minutes. This extended screen time has been on the rise since 2007. According to OSF Healthcare, teenagers should limit their screen time to 2 hours per day. 

Screen Time for Children

In terms of early childhood development, screen time creates what the National Institutions of Health (NIH) call, “tunnel vision.” This “tunnel vision” refers to the amount of kids who fail to observe the world around them since their attention is fixated on their screens. For example; a child walking with their guardian while grocery shopping will fail to recognize their surroundings if they have their eyes locked on their screen. Not only will this hurt their ability to learn about the world, it also hinders their relationships with others.

Phones make kids and teens susceptible to a rocky road of maintaining and handling relationships. Dr. Jennifer Cross, a pediatrician in New York City, New York, states, “There is also some evidence that children who watch a lot of television during their elementary school years perform less well on reading tests and may show deficits in attention.” The American Academy of Pediatrics (APP) suggests that children between 2-5 should stick to high-quality, educational programming that promotes good social skills. Dr. Cross suggests fun shows such as Sesame Street, or Daniel Tiger’s Neighbourhood. Screen time hinders development in younger kids, but what about preteens and teenagers?

Screen Time for Teenagers 

Much like the earlier stages of adolescence, screen time negatively affects the development in teenager’s brains. Too much screen time actually blocks teenagers from getting the sleep they need. Melatonin is the sleep hormone, and without it, many teenagers can find themselves unable to fall asleep. Bright lights from screens significantly reduce teen’s melatonin production. Lack of sleep can lead to a lack of concentration, learning, and remembering. Sleep is vital for everyone, but teens need sleep especially. A study by the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) showed that teens who spent 7 or more hours on their phones had a thinner cortex than teens who had used up less screen time. The cortex is our brain’s outer layer that helps with information processing. Information processing is a vital tool in the process of growing up. Teenagers need to be able to adequately process information for the sake of their futures. Sleep deprivation is just one of the products of screen time. Mood changes can also occur if one spends too much of their time scrolling on social media. Studies have proved that higher depression rates are linked with higher screen time usage. Others have shown that teenagers with a higher screen time tend to be more anxious, neglect responsibilities, and use their devices to cope with stress. One study connected a higher screen time to a drastic increase in depression and anxiety. The experiment targets ages ranging from 13-17, but the issue mainly spurs between 14-17.

Struggling with screen time? That’s ok! There are many ways to help reduce your screen time while still having enough to enjoy. Some tips to help regulate screen time  include…

• Reduce your screen time to 2 hours per day.
• Watch educational shows.
• Take frequent breaks from your screen, get up and stretch.
• Don’t eat in front of a screen.
• Pay attention to your posture when on the screen.
• Look into extracurricular activities.
• Try to socialize and encourage friendships.
• Avoid technology use before bed.

Screen time has affected many teens, kids, and even adults for many years, and many more to come. It is time to put an end to the threat it has on the brain development of Too much screen time poses a serious threat, but that doesn’t mean it’s not preventable. Try to find balance in your use of screen time, and you may find yourself feeling happier and healthier. 

ATTENTION BECKHAM STUDENTS

Take the Screen Time Survey to find out how screen time affects you!

Bibliography

Aplesset. “What Does Too Much Screen Time Do to Kids’ Brains?” NewYork-Presbyterian, 3 Nov. 2021, https://healthmatters.nyp.org/what-does-too-much-screen-time-do-to-childrens-brains/#:~:text=Excessive%20screen%20time%20may%20inhibit,be%20detrimental%20to%20overall%20development. 

Can Too Much Screen Time Harm You? – National Institute on Drug Abuse. https://nida.nih.gov/sites/default/files/NIDA_YR18_INS3_ACTION_StuMag_2pg_508.pdf. 

HeadphonesAddict. “18+ Teen & Kids Screen Time Statistics (2023): Avg. Screen Time for Teens vs. Recommendations.” HeadphonesAddict, 21 Feb. 2023, https://headphonesaddict.com/teen-kids-screen-time-statistics/. 

“IPhone (1st Generation).” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 13 Mar. 2023, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPhone_(1st_generation)#:~:text=The%20iPhone%20(retroactively%20referred%20to,States%20on%20June%2029%2C%202007. 

June 9, 2021 | Wellness & Prevention. “Should Adults Reduce Their Screen Time?” Scripps Health, 6 Apr. 2023, https://www.scripps.org/news_items/6310-8-tips-to-reduce-screen-time-for-adults. 

Percentage Ever Diagnosed with Anxiety or Depression, by Age and Level … https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Percentage-ever-diagnosed-with-anxiety-or-depression-by-age-and-level-of-screen-time_fig5_328371592.