Screen time for kids has been a controversial topic since screens first entered households decades ago. Much of the research around how screen time affects kids and to what extent is contradictory. One study found that increased screen time adversely affected kids’ well-being. Another study found little to no correlation between the two. So which research wins? The truth is screens have not been around long enough for us to know for sure.
Pro-Screen Time
While there are very few people who are actually in favor of unlimited amounts of screen time, there are those who claim it is harmless. Many in this camp claim that screens help students connect with each other and engage in their learning in ways that are more accessible and more relatable than traditional methods. There’s no denying that screens were an absolute necessity this school year. With so many students learning from home, and all others needing to keep a safe distance from their teachers and classmates, screens were a vital part of every student’s day. Some believe that we’ll never go back to the way things were before the pandemic-driven screen time surge. And some even believe that we shouldn’t.
Anti-Screen Time
Those on the other side of the debate argue that screens isolate students. They claim that screens contribute to mental health issues like depression and increased suicidal ideology. Some studies show that the more screen time kids get, the more likely they are to develop these issues. One study links the rise in teen suicide since 2010 to the increase in technology use in schools and households. Analysts of this data suggest spending time in other ways. They argue that kids should be engaging in activities like sports, visual art, and anything hands-on and screen-free.
The Bottom Line
As with anything in life, we believe balance is key. Should all non-academic screen time be completely banned? No. Should we throw up our hands and let our kids have as much screen time as they want? Probably not. The best bet for now—until science has a more definitive answer—is to strike a healthy balance, and to pay attention to both the quality and quantity of our kids’ screen time.
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