Screen Time: How Much Is Too Much?

Screen time is a term given to the amount of hours an individual spends on their devices. This idea has been researched due to its effect on the development of young people’s mental health in correlation to their media usage. Whilst screen time has its pros and cons, the youth of today will inevitably be exposed to a range of digital technologies, so the question is, how much is too much?

To answer that question, let’s take a look at what’s really happening when your child is behind the screen.

SO, WHAT ARE THE CONS?

When a child uses a digital device excessively, they are exposed to blue-light (also known as HEV) in huge quantities. In small doses, blue-light is safe. In fact, our sun produces it during the day and it even has some benefits. But excessive exposure to blue-light is a cause for concern.

Whilst gentle exposure can have a positive effect on alertness and mood, long-term exposure from a strong source has the exact opposite effect. The light from devices creates an increase of adrenaline and cortisol causing stress, paranoia and irritability. In turn, this can lead to more serious mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety.

Blue-light can also damage vision in developing eyes, resulting in digital eye strain, as well as migraines, blurry vision and lack of concentration.

One of the most common effects of excessive screen time is the inability to get a good night’s sleep. It messes with the sleep cycle, making you feel alert before bed and taking you longer to fall asleep. As anyone who has (or has met) a child will know, a good night’s rest is crucial to their development and overall mental and physical wellbeing. Don’t get us started on behaviour!

AND THE PROS?

Whilst blue-light seems to be the scourge of screen time, in moderation, exposing your child to a range of digital technologies is actually really beneficial. Here are some examples:

• Using a device such as a games console allows young people to communicate with anybody across the whole world. Now that may sound concerning, but there are lots of different filters that parents can put in place to keep children safe. The ability to communicate keeps younger people happy and sociable.
• There are lots of different online resources that your child can delve into that will enhance their learning and critical thinking skills. The trick is to set your child a screen time limit, then ensure that time is well spent.
• These days, there’s a whole range of apps that actually encourage healthy habits. Pedometers have become especially popular over recent years, encouraging young people to reach their daily step count. A lot of these apps send out daily reminders to make healthy food choices, drink a glass of water or meditate.
• From typing, to reaction times, to hand-eye coordination, device usage can also enhance fine motor skills.
• The UK is experiencing a digital skills shortage. The youth of today need good digital skills to become employable in the future.

SO WHAT CAN WE AS PARENTS AND GUARDIANS DO?

As a parent or guardian, it’s always a good idea to be involved in the digital world your children are growing up in. Ask them questions about their digital activities and what they are learning from them, using that information to help them find more educational media. Make sure to limit their overall usage of devices to ensure their health isn’t affected. Here are some other suggestions on how to make device usage healthier for young people:

HOW TO: DIGITAL SAFETY

Issue: Blue-light

Solution:

• Adjust device settings to change blue-light intensity.
• Buy blue-light blocking glasses, they’re surprisingly cheap!

Issue: Online safety

Solution:

• Use website blockers and safe browsing on all devices.
• Limit social media usage until an appropriate age.

Issue: Not enough learning

Solution:

• Be involved with your child!
• Find better media for them to utilise. Here are some examples:
  • BBC Bitesize KS1 and KS2
  • BBC Microbit
  • Maths Zone
  • DoodleMaths – Desktop, iOS and Android App
  • BeeBot App – iOS and Android App
  • Ibis Paint X -iOS and Android App
  • FlipaClip – iOS and Android App

How Jam Coding limits screen time

At Jam Coding, we understand the pro’s and con’s of digital usage, and we know how important it is to find a healthy balance between online and offline media. Whilst our workshops are designed to teach children digital skills, our methods use different props, such as robots and cameras, to give young people a break from the screen.

We always talk to our young people about being offline for a significant part of the day. When we finish our afterschool clubs, we especially encourage them to get outside and play to get some well-needed fresh air!