Increased screen time linked to aggression, anxiety, and low self-esteem in kids
A major international study looking at nearly 300,000 children has revealed a two-way link between the amount of time kids spend on screens and their emotional and social well-being.
Babies who watched on average two hours of screen time per day performed worse later on, at age 9, on executive functions, according to the study, which was published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics.
Children who spent more than 2 hours a day by the age of 12 months on devices like TVs, tablets, computers, and gaming consoles were at a higher risk of developing problems like aggression, anxiety, and low self-esteem later in life, the study found.
The connection also works in reverse: Children who were already struggling with social or emotional challenges tended to spend more time on all types of screens. It is worth noting that what children and adults are digitally consuming makes a difference. Learn how a QBH provider can help you navigate the digital landscape.
