Can Too Much Screen Time Cause Health Problems?

How Can Our Pediatrician in Massapequa Help Your Child?

Screen time is the amount of time that is spent using a device while being physically inactive. These devices include ones with screens such as a smartphone, computer, television, and video game consoles. On average, Americans spend an average of roughly five hours per day on their phones alone. Including the time spent working on a computer or watching television would significantly increase the standard. Though there is no consensus on the safe amount of screen time, our pediatrician in Massapequa at Pediatric Associates of Plainview recommended that it be limited to about two hours total in a day. 

Benefits That Our Devices Can Have 

Screen time has a negative connotation, and that is because it is overused. However, if it is limited, there are various benefits. Some benefits include the following: 

• Communication tool 
  • Calling, texting, social media networks to keep you connected to friends and family. 
• Can encourage healthy behaviors 
  • Certain apps can be helpful with exercise, healthier food choices, and better sleep.
• Can encourage learning 
  • Certain apps can help with reading and using different brain skills. 
• Can improve motor skills and coordination 
  • Video games can help with hand-eye coordination, and some games require physical activity. 

Risks of Too Much Screen Time 

With the benefits of screen time previously stated, it can lead to overuse because of how it keeps people entertained and occupied. However, overuse of screen time eventually leads to potential risks. Some risks of too much screen time include the following: 

• Obesity: 
  • A majority of screen time is spent while being inactive. A sedentary lifestyle can lead to gaining weight. 

• Sleep disturbances: 
  • Looking at screens before bed can disrupt sleep patterns. Blue light from screens interferes with the brain’s sleep cycle and can cause insomnia. 

• Behavioral problems: 
  • Children who overuse screen time are more likely to develop attention deficits, leading to other behavioral issues. 

• Educational problems: 
  • Attention deficits can affect learning abilities and too much screen time can take away from the time that should be spent on learning. 

• Violence: 
  • Children that are exposed to violent media such as movies or video games may imitate what they see or can become desensitized. 

Ways to Encourage Less Screen Time 

If you think that your or your family’s screen time consumption is too high and would like to lower it, our pediatrician in Massapequa at Pediatric Associates of Plainview recommends the following:

• Be accountable. 
  • It is important to be aware of your screen time and a great first step to realize you may be overusing it.  
• Be realistic. 
  • To begin limiting your use, be realistic. You cannot completely shut it out, so you should begin by setting smaller, more attainable goals.  
• Go outside. 
  • Take a walk and/or enjoy your time outside without your phone. This will help improve your mood as well as your physical and mental health.  
• Create a screen-free zone. 
  • You can start with making some family time screen-free such as dinner with no phones allowed at the table. You can also not allow screen time in bedrooms after certain times to limit use and prevent bad habits.  
• Co-use devices. 
  • It is good that when using screens, to interact with one another as well. This may include watching movies together so there are still personable interactions, or playing multiplayer games. 

Pediatrician in Massapequa 

Here at Pediatric Associates of Plainview, we aim to make each visit effortless and stress free. Your child’s health and well being is always our top priority. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us today. Our pediatrician in Massapequa looks forward to meeting you.