Madeeha Syed

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Managing Technology: Understanding The Impact Of Screen Time On Teenage Behavior

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What Excessive Screen Time Does To A Child's Development & How Much Is Okay?

Overview

Since the pandemic started and we had to grapple with the idea of being isolated from our fellow humans, everyone&rsquo;s screen time went up. Not that it wasn&rsquo;t as bad before but now this little thing in your hand is all that connected you to the outside world. The children felt the weight of this as well given how they crave community and play more than the adults in their lives. Then came the online classes and exams. This is why the cumulative screen time that a modern day child is exposed to is nowhere near normal. But is this even healthy?&nbsp;

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Excessive Screen Time

Excessive screen time can have a negative impact a child&#39;s physical, emotional and cognitive development. It can contribute to<a href="https://merisehat.pk/disease/obesity"> obesity</a>, as children are less likely to be physically active when they are spending a lot of time in front of screens. Additionally, it can lead to poor sleep quality, digital eye strain and behavioral issues.&nbsp; 
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Emotionally, it can lead to increased anxiety and depression and it can contribute to a lack of social skills and difficulty making friends. It also negatively impacts a child&#39;s brain development as research has shown that children who spend more time on screens have lower levels of white matter in their brains, which is responsible for cognitive processing and development. It can also negatively impact a child&#39;s ability to concentrate and can contribute to lower academic performance.

As a parent, it&#39;s important to be mindful of your child&#39;s screen time usage and set reasonable limits. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), children under 18 months old should not have any screen time, except for video chatting with family and friends. For children 18 months to 2 years old, limited screen time can be introduced, but it should be high-quality programming and the child should be watching under adult supervision. For children ages 2 to 5, the recommended screen time limit is one hour per day of high-quality programming, while children ages 6 and up should have consistent limits on the amount of screen time they have each day.

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Conclusion

To reduce the negative impact of excessive screen time, parents can take several steps. One is to set clear limits on screen time usage and ensure that children are engaged in other activities, such as playing outside or spending time with friends. Parents can also make sure that their children are engaging with high-quality programming that is age-appropriate and educational. It&#39;s important for parents to model healthy screen time habits as well. If children see their parents spending a lot of time on screens, they are more likely to develop similar habits. Instead, parents can prioritize spending quality time with their children, engaging in activities that promote their child&#39;s physical, emotional, and cognitive development. A study published in the journal BMC Public Health found that adults who limit their own screen time are more likely to be able to limit their children&rsquo;s screen time. The study says: &ldquo;It is not just the presence of screen time rules and restrictions that is important, but also the support through adult modeling of low screen use. Parents who model low screen time are more likely to impose stricter screen time rules on their children. In contrast, if parents are high screen users themselves, their efforts to impose screen time restrictions for children are more likely to fail.&rdquo;

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Dr. Safia Mehmood

Technology has changed the way we interact with the world, and teenagers are no exception. Social media, smartphones, and video games are now a part of daily life for many teenagers. While technology has many benefits, including increased connectivity and access to information, it also has its downsides. The impact of excessive screen time on teenage behavior has become a growing concern among parents, educators, and <a href="https://merisehat.pk/doctor-now">health professionals</a>. 
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Risks of Excessive Screen Time

Excessive screen time has been linked to a number of negative outcomes for teenagers, including: 
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<ol>
	<li style="list-style-type:decimal">Poor Academic Performance: Studies have shown that excessive screen time can lead to lower academic achievement, especially in areas such as reading and math. 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:decimal">Sleep Disturbances: Screens emit blue light, which can interfere with sleep patterns. This can lead to difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, and feeling rested in the morning. 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:decimal">Obesity: Research has found a link between excessive screen time and an increased risk of obesity. This may be due to the sedentary nature of many screen-based activities. 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:decimal">Social Isolation: While technology can help connect people, excessive screen time has been linked to social isolation and poor social skills. 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:decimal"><a href="https://merisehat.pk/disease/anxiety">Anxiety </a>And <a href="https://merisehat.pk/disease/depression">Depression</a>: Studies have found that excessive screen time is associated with an increased risk of anxiety and depression. 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ol>

Managing Screen Time

Managing screen time is essential for promoting healthy teenage behavior. Here are some practical tips for managing screen time: 
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<ol>
	<li style="list-style-type:decimal">Set Limits: Setting limits on screen time can help ensure that teenagers have a healthy balance of screen time and other activities. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children aged 6-18 have no more than two hours of screen time per day. 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:decimal">Create Screen-Free Zones: Creating screen-free zones in the home, such as the dinner table or bedrooms, can help reduce the temptation to use screens excessively. 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:decimal">Model Good Behavior: Parents should model good screen time behavior themselves. This means setting an example by limiting their own screen time and being present when spending time with their teenagers. 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:decimal">Encourage Other Activities: Encouraging teenagers to engage in other activities, such as sports, reading, or creative pursuits, can help reduce the amount of time they spend on screens. 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:decimal">Use Parental Controls: Many devices and apps have parental controls that can help limit screen time or filter content. Parents should make use of these tools to help manage their teenagers&#39; screen time. 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:decimal">Be Mindful Of Content: Not all screen time is created equal. Parents should be mindful of the content their teenagers are consuming and ensure that it is age-appropriate and not excessively violent or sexual. 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:decimal">Encourage Outdoor Activities: Outdoor activities, such as hiking or sports, can help promote physical activity and reduce the amount of time spent in front of screens. 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ol>

bottom Line

Technology has become an integral part of modern life, but excessive screen time can have negative consequences for teenage behavior. Managing screen time is essential for promoting healthy behaviors and mitigating the risks of excessive screen time.&nbsp;

By setting limits, creating screen-free zones, modeling good behavior, encouraging other activities, using parental controls, being mindful of content, and promoting outdoor activities, parents can help their teenagers develop healthy habits around technology.&nbsp;With these practical tips, teenagers can enjoy the benefits of technology while avoiding the risks of excessive screen time.