Although Bite Nutrition is all about Nutrition, we are kidding ourselves if we think we can look at any element of our health in isolation from another. You see, we are complete humans, so every OTHER aspect of health can influence nutrition quite strongly. Movement and leisure-based screen time impacts appetite, gut movement/health, bowel movements, concentration, behaviour, mental health, weight, and so much more.
Parents report that excessive screen time is the top health concern they have for their children, and they are worried that their children spend too much time on electronic devices.[i] [ii]
This recent research also "concluded that children with excessive screen time are at high odds of developmental and behavioral problems, especially for preschoolers and boys". Now ofcourse these factors can also be independent, but when there is research driven causal links, it's something that needs to be ruled out in investigation and diagnosis.
It is tempting to give your child a device to keep them quieter and “please them” when they are nagging at you, however research is increasingly pointing to the longer term impacts of screen time on our children’s development and health outcomes.
Children are meant to be social, interact, learn from human peers, and physically play. Humans have not evolved at all physically, we are physically still in the world of no TV! By restricting this play you may see unburnt energy and interaction “come out” in other ways, such as misbehavior, less sleep (which cycles back through emotional regulation/appetite) and the list goes on.
The Impacts of Screen Time
For children funder 5 years of age there is strong evidence that screen time has negative effects on:
Screen time in this age group may be associated with the following problems in later childhood:
- emotional problems in girls
- family functioning for both boys and girls.[v]
For children and young people aged 5–17 years, screen time may have negative effects on:
- weight and diet (particularly from TV viewing)
- behavioural problems, anxiety, hyperactivity, attention, self-esteem and psychosocial health.
For this age group, some research links screen time with depressive symptoms. However, other research suggests there is limited evidence linking screen time to mental health problems.[vi]
Recommendations summary for birth to five years
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Recommendations summary for birth to five years |
Birth–1 year |
1–2 years |
2–3 years |
3–5 years |
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Physical activity Recommendation |
Physical activity should be encouraged from birth. |
Should be physically active every day for at least three hours, spread throughout the day. |
Should be physically active every day for at least three hours, spread throughout the day. |
Should be physically active every day for at least three hours, spread throughout the day. |
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Sedentary recommendation – screen-time |
Should not spend any time watching television or using other electronic media (DVDs, computer and other electronic games). |
Should not spend any time watching television or using other electronic media (DVDs, computer and other electronic games). |
Sitting and watching television and the use of other electronic media (DVDs, computer and other electronic games) should be limited to less than one hour per day. |
Sitting and watching television and the use of other electronic media (DVDs, computer and other electronic games) should be limited to less than one hour per day. |
|
Sedentary recommendation – prolonged inactivity |
Should not be sedentary, restrained or kept inactive for more than one hour at a time, with the exception of sleeping.
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Should not be sedentary, restrained or kept inactive for more than one hour at a time, with the exception of sleeping.
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Should not be sedentary, restrained or kept inactive for more than one hour at a time, with the exception of sleeping. |
Should not be sedentary, restrained or kept inactive for more than one hour at a time, with the exception of sleeping. |
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For children 5-17 years
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No more than two hours of sedentary recreational screen time per day for children and young people aged 5–17 years (not including schoolwork). Minimum of 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous movement each day |
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Combatting Screen Time
Negotiating less screen time can be tricky, especially if you are trying to reverse the status quo, however here are some tips for parents:
- limit your own leisure screen time. There is a strong relationship between parents’ screen time and that of their children.[vii] [viii]
- co-participate – where parents and children take part in screen time together and engage in conversations about the content. This encourages spontaneous opportunities for learning and practising language skills, and helps mediate the content being viewed.[ix]
- set time and content rules around screen use. This is associated with lower levels of screen time. Supportive rather than controlling styles of communicating rules may be beneficial.[x]
- find ways to balance their child’s day with other activities such as physical activity and play to support their physical and mental health. [xi] This could include scooter riding, dancing, running, climbing or going to the park with friends.
- encourage children to self-regulate screen time. Personal recognition of the consequences of excessive screen time, giving them a sense of autonomy over their choices and involving them in decision making are important for this strategy to be effective.[xii]
You got this!! Love can be harsh sometimes, but we are the adults that know what is best. Share this with a loved one if it may help, and do not forget to subscribe to our email list for updates and blogs to your inbox.
[i] Parenting Research Centre. (2019). Parenting today in Victoria. Melbourne and Sydney: Parenting Research Centre. Retrieved from www.parentingrc.org.au/wp-content/uploads/PTIV-Technical-report-2019.pdf
[ii]The Royal Children's Hospital National Child Health Poll. (2021). Top 10 child health problems: What Australian parents think. Poll Number 20. Melbourne: The Royal Children's Hospital.
[iii] Poitras, V. J., Gray, C. E., Janssen, X., Aubert, S., Carson, V., Faulkner, G. .et al. (2017). Systematic review of the relationships between sedentary behaviour and health indicators in the early years (0–4 years). BMC Public Health, 17(S5). doi: 10.1186/s12889-017-4849-8
[iv] Stiglic, N., & Viner, R. M. (2019). Effects of screentime on the health and well-being of children and adolescents: A systematic review of reviews. BMJ Open, 9(1), e023191. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-023191
[v] Hinkley, T., Verbestel, V., Ahrens, W., Lissner, L., Molnár, D., Moreno, L. A. et al. (2014). Early childhood electronic media use as a predictor of poorer well-being. JAMA Pediatrics, 168(5), 485. doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2014.94
[vi] Tang, S., Werner-Seidler, A., Torok, M., Mackinnon, A. J., & Christensen, H. (2021). The relationship between screen time and mental health in young people: A systematic review of longitudinal studies. Clinical Psychology Review, 86, 102021. doi: 10.1016/j.cpr.2021.102021
[vii] Arundell, L., Parker, K., Timperio, A., Salmon, J., & Veitch, J. (2020). Home-based screen time behaviors amongst youth and their parents: Familial typologies and their modifiable correlates. BMC Public Health, 20(1). doi:10.1186/s12889-020-09581-w
[viii] Rhodes, A. (2017). Screen time and kids: What’s happening in our homes. Detailed report. Melbourne: The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne. Retrieved from rchpoll.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/ACHP-Poll7_Detailed-Report-June21.pdf
[ix] Gentile, D. A., Reimer, R. A., Nathanson, A. I., Walsh, D. A., & Eisenmann, J. C. (2014). Protective effects of parental monitoring of children’s media use. JAMA Pediatrics, 168(5), 479. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2014.146
[x] Bjelland, M., Soenens, B., Bere, E., Kovács, É., Lien, N., Maes, L. et al. (2015). Associations between parental rules, style of communication and children’s screen time. BMC Public Health, 15(1). doi: 10.1186/s12889-015-2337-6
[xi] Department of Health (2021, May 7), Physical activity and exercise guidelines for all Australians. Canberra: Department of Health.
[xii] Smith, J. J., Morgan, P. J., Lonsdale, C., Dally, K., Plotnikoff, R. C., & Lubans, D. R. (2017). Mediators of change in screen-time in a school-based intervention for adolescent boys: Findings from the ATLAS cluster randomized controlled trial. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 40(3), 423–433.