TheAccording to international researchers, the average daily screen time for adolescents increased by more than two-thirds during the COVID-19 pandemic.
InA study published MondayJAMA is the journal. PediatricsThe group found that screen usage rose to 7.7 hours per days, compared to the pre-pandemic estimates which were 3.8 hours per daily.
EXCESSIVE SCREEN TIMES LINKED TO OBESITY in US PRETEENS, STUDY FINDS
UsingData from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study and more than 5,400 adolescents predominantly aged 12 to 13 years, the authors determined screen use from adolescents’ self-reported hours during a typical day from 2016 to May 2020.
TheThe majority of the group was female. More than 60% were. WhiteThe ages ranged between 10 and 14 years.
MultipleThe most popular activities were single-player gaming, -player gaming and texting.
The total typical daily screen use – excluding school work – was calculated and the researchers used multiple linear regression analyses to estimate associations between mental health and resiliency factors and total screen use. TheyOther confounders like sex, race and religion, annual household income, parent education level and study place were also taken into account.
Using StataStatistics and data software showed that a higher level of total screen usage was associated with poorer mental health and more stress. AlternativelyScreening levels were lower when there was more support from the community and coping skills.
TheyAlso, differences could be due to differences in age or screen time.
CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC HELPED AMERICANS SPEND a LOT MORE TIME STARTING AT SCREENS
OtherThe study was limited by the use self-reported data. Additionally, the researchers pointed out that the estimated total hours could be overestimated as adolescents often multitask on their screens.
“DespiteStudies have shown that screen use may continue to rise despite the gradual lifting of quarantine restrictions. Screen time disparities across racial, ethnic, and income groups in adolescents have been reported previously and may be due to structural and systemic racism–driven factors (eg, built environment, access to financial resources, and digital media education)—all of which have been amplified in the COVID-19 pandemic,” the authors wrote.
AnyFuture research should examine screen usage trends after pandemic restrictions are lifted, and explore ways to prevent sociodemographic disparities.
AccordingTo the U.S. CentersFor Disease ControlAnd Prevention(CDC), citing Kaiser Family FoundationThe average time that children aged 8-18 spend in front of a screen is 7.5 hours.
TheThe CDC recommends children get at most 60 minutes of activity each day. The agency stated that kids who spend time watching TV or playing video games are not getting enough physical activity.
The American AcademyOf Child & Adolescent PsychiatryParents should create a “screen-time strategy” for their children.
“Positive”Healthy screen use is possible with proper guidance” the academy says.
Source: Fox News
