Can Screen Time Be a Good Thing? It’s Complicated
By Movieguide® Contributor
Can screen time ever be a good thing?
Everyone knows that excessive screen time harms kids and teens, but where exactly is the line between its pros and cons?
A study by Rinanda Shaleha, a doctoral student in the College of Health and Human Development at Penn State, and cognitive psychologist Nelson Roque looked at four different uses of screens: “educational use, work-related use, social interaction and entertainment.”
Educational use of screens improved “cognitive skills like problem-solving and critical thinking,” the study found. “Digital tools like mobile apps can support learning by boosting motivation, self-regulation and self-control.”
“Researchers found that educational screen time provides the most benefit, showing positive effects on children’s persistence and educational outcomes while also having no significant impact on health,” EdTech reported.
However, the researchers noted that the lack of a social environment in this type of learning could pose a problem.
For work, screen time can “improve productivity and enable remote work,” but “prolonged screen exposure and multitasking may also lead to stress, anxiety and cognitive fatigue.”
Screen time for social reasons is probably the most debated, and for good reason.
Shaleha explained that it can help people connect, but “passive screen use, like endless social media scrolling, can lead to negative experiences such as cyberbullying, social comparison and loneliness, especially for teens.”
READ MORE: IS SCREEN TIME MAKING YOUR TEEN DEPRESSED?
Finally, while screen time for entertainment can be enjoyable and relaxing, it often results in a lack of physical activity, which creates a litany of other problems.
“Risk factors for obesity and cardiovascular disorders, including hypertension, poor regulation of stress, low HDL cholesterol, and insulin resistance are among the physical health repercussions” that can come from increased screen time, the National Library of Medicine reported.
While several benefits come from screen time, moderation and self-awareness are key to making sure tech doesn’t take over our or our kids’ lives.
READ MORE: SET YOUR CHILD UP FOR SUCCESS WITH THESE SCREEN TIME FACTS
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