Experts call for a rethink on guidelines about children’s screen time The amount of time

Experts call for a rethink on guidelines about children’s screen time

The amount of time children spend using screens, such as televisions and computers, on a daily basis exceeds recommended guidelines, according to research published in open access journal BMC Public Health. These guidelines were drawn up at a time when tablets, cell phones and other mobile devices were not as present in everyday life, which suggests they need to be redrafted.

Prolonged use of screens by children is associated with adverse physical and mental health outcomes, such as increased risk of depression and anxiety in adolescent girls. Although the present study does not look directly at health effects on children, it is part of a longitudinal study which will.

Virtually Impossible: Limiting Australian children and adolescents daily screen based media use, Stephen Houghton, Simon C Hunter, Michael Rosenberg, Lisa Wood, Corinne Zadow, Karen Martin and Trevor Shilton
BMC Public Health 2015, 15:5