By Tim Jahn, M.ED
We’re raising a generation of “screenagers” from toddlers to adolescents who are growing up in a media-saturated environment with multiple, high speed platforms to access all kinds of audio, video and digital content. While technology and new media has increased worker and student productivity, raised global awareness and contributed to social change worldwide, it is also correlated with emerging problems facing children and youth. Too much screen time has been linked to:
- Overweight and obesity. The more TV a child watches, the more likely he or she will become overweight and a TV in his or her bedroom increases this risk. Besides hours of inactivity, children are exposed to commercials for junk foods and tend to overeat while watching TV.
- Sleep problems. The more TV children watch, the more trouble they have falling asleep or keeping a regular sleep routine. Sleep deprivation can lead to fatigue, accidents and problems paying attention in school.
- Behavioral problems. Elementary students who spend more than two hours a day watching TV or using a computer are more likely to have emotional, social and attention problems. Video games have also been associated with an increased risk of attention problems. Watching excessive amounts of TV at age 4 may contribute to bullying at ages 6 through 11.
- Impaired academic performance. Elementary students who have TVs in their bedrooms tend to do worse in school than kids who don’t.
- Violence. Exposure to violence through media — especially on TV — can desensitize children to violence and they may learn to accept violent behavior as a normal way to solve problems.
- Less time for constructive activities. Excessive screen time leaves less time for reading, hobbies and active, creative play.
The Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood (CCFC) has prepared a fact sheet summarizing some of the research on children and screens. CCFC is the parent organization for “Screen-Free Week” which is scheduled for May 5-11, 2014. Locally, the Early Years Institute is providing leadership for “Screen-Free Week.” In the following weeks, we will post additional information to help you and your family live more screen-free. If you would like to organize a screen-free week in your school, civic group or place of worship, you can download the Organizer’s Kit at http://www.screenfree.org/
Additional Resources:
Tim Jahn is a Human Ecology Specialist with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County’s Family Health and Wellness Program. He can be reached at 631-727-7850 ext. 331 or at tcj2@cornell.edu.