In today’s world, screens have become a constant presence in the lives of children and adolescents. Smartphones, tablets, computers, televisions… in short, digital technology has come to occupy a significant portion of the lives of children, adolescents, and adults. Technological tools have taken hold in education, entertainment, and even communication. However, it is crucial to understand and address the importance of limiting screen time for children and teenagers, with a focus on their physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

What impacts has excessive screen use had?

Excessive screen time may be interfering with children’s cognitive development, as it limits the time available for exploring the real world and learning through direct interaction with their environment and with other people. In addition, excessive reliance on screens can hinder children’s ability to develop essential social skills, such as empathy and interpersonal communication.

Spending long hours in front of screens is associated with a sedentary lifestyle, which can lead to a range of health problems, such as obesity, postural issues, and sleep disorders. Excessive screen time has diminished interest in physical activity and exploring the outdoors, and has led to a less active lifestyle.

Another impact is the negative effect on the mental health of children and adolescents. Inappropriate content, such as violent video games or disturbing material on the internet, can increase levels of anxiety and aggression. In addition, the social isolation caused by excessive use of devices can contribute to problems such as depression and social isolation.

In an academic setting, the time spent in front of screens often takes the place of time that could be used for studying, due to the increased distraction that screens cause. This can hinder the academic performance of children and adolescents, negatively impacting their learning.

Exposure to electronic screens

Given the harmful effects that excessive screen time can cause, we must pay close attention to the recommendations of the Brazilian Pediatric Association, which states that children under 2 years of age should not be exposed to any screen time; between the ages of 2 and 5, children should be limited to one hour of screen time per day, focusing on educational and high-quality content; from ages 6 to 10, the maximum exposure is two hours; and from ages 11 to 18, three hours.

The Association also emphasizes the importance of carefully selecting the content that children consume on screens. This means prioritizing educational programs, apps, and games that are age-appropriate and promote learning. In addition, it is essential that parents and guardians be involved and watch the programs with their children to discuss what they are seeing and help them interpret the information.

See also:

• 6 Trends That Are Shaping the Future of Education
• The Future of the School
• Children and Reading

Family involvement is essential from an early age

Families need to make a commitment to managing screen time from an early age in order to help establish healthy habits that can last a lifetime. Children need to be taught to balance screen time with other activities, such as reading, exercise, and family time, to promote a balanced and healthy lifestyle.

When screen time is managed, families have the opportunity to spend more time together, strengthening family bonds and promoting face-to-face communication. This is essential for the emotional development of children and adolescents as they face the future challenges of social interaction. It is the responsibility of parents, caregivers, and educators to guide and supervise screen use, ensuring that screens are a positive and enriching tool in the lives of children and adolescents, rather than a harmful distraction.

It’s also important to avoid screens before bedtime. Exposure to screens before bedtime can disrupt sleep in children and adolescents; therefore, families should avoid using electronic devices at least one hour before going to bed. Parents and caregivers should also serve as role models for healthy screen use. Limiting their own screen time and engaging in offline activities is essential for encouraging their children to do the same.

And how can schools also contribute to this process?

Schools play an important role in monitoring and guiding children’s and adolescents’ screen time. Here are some ways schools can help in this regard:

- Education on the responsible use of technology: Schools can incorporate digital education programs that teach students about the responsible and safe use of technology. This includes raising awareness about issues such as online safety, cyberbullying, and the importance of balancing screen time with other activities.

- School policies: Schools can establish clear policies regarding the use of electronic devices in the classroom. This may include restrictions on the use of smartphones during class, unless for educational purposes, and the establishment of rules regarding the use of computers and tablets for academic purposes.

- Online educational resources: Institutions can provide students with access to high-quality online educational resources, combined with the use of active teaching strategies that ensure the development of cognitive skills essential to students’ holistic development. This not only encourages the constructive use of technology but can also be an effective way to complement traditional teaching.

- Involve parents: Schools can encourage communication with parents about screen time at home. Holding workshops or meetings to discuss strategies for healthy family technology use can be beneficial.

- Mental health support: Schools can offer counseling or guidance services to address issues related to excessive screen time, such as video game addiction or cyberbullying. In addition, educators can be on the lookout for signs of mental health issues that may arise from the inappropriate use of technology and make the appropriate referrals, as well as develop prevention programs with the support of school psychology departments.

- Promote in-person extracurricular activities: Schools should offer a variety of extracurricular activities that encourage students to participate in in-person activities, such as sports, clubs, the arts, and community projects. This provides healthy alternatives to screen time.

- Ongoing monitoring and communication: Schools can partner with parents to monitor screen time and the content accessed at home. Maintaining open lines of communication allows educators and parents to be aware of any issues and work together to resolve them.

- Impact assessment: Schools can conduct research or studies to assess the impact of screen use on student learning and well-being. This can help them adapt school policies and practices as needed.

In summary, families and schools play a crucial role in the healthy development of children and adolescents in an increasingly digital world. By promoting the responsible use of technology, setting limits at home and clear policies at school, and providing educational and emotional support, families and schools can help manage screen time and ensure that students are prepared to face the challenges and opportunities of the digital world in a balanced and healthy way.

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*This text does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Bett Brasil.

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