General Impact Of Screen Time On The Health Of Children & Young People

Key points about the health impacts of screen time

• screens are a big part of everyday life for many tamariki and rangatahi
• research shows that too much screen time can affect your child's health and wellbeing
• screen time can impact a young person's eye health, mental health, physical health, sleep and brain development 
• the impact of screen time on tamariki and rangatahi is not clear-cut, and more research is needed 

What is screen time?

Screen time refers to the total time someone spends using electronic devices with screens. Activities that tamariki and rangatahi do during screen time include watching videos, playing games, interacting on social media, and browsing the internet. 

How does screen time impact my child’s health?

Researchers continue to study the impact of screen time on tamariki and rangatahi. Research shows that too much screen time can negatively impact young people's health, well-being and development. 

Screen time and sleep

Tamariki and rangatahi need good quality sleep to help them learn and develop. Too much screen time and screen time before bed can impact the quality of your child’s sleep.

See the KidsHealth page on screen time and sleep to learn more

Screen time and eye health 

Too much screen time can lead to digital eye strain and dry eyes. Screen time may also be linked to an eye condition called myopia (short-sightedness). 

See the KidsHealth page on screen time and eye health in children to learn more 

See the KidsHealth page on short-sightedness in children and young people

Screen time and brain development

The brain undergoes its most rapid development during childhood. Research shows that lots of screen time can negatively impact brain development in tamariki. The impact that screen time has on the brain development of tamariki depends on their age.

See the KidsHealth page on screen time and brain development for more information

Screen time and physical health 

Because screen time is mostly sedentary, it can negatively affect your child’s physical health. If tamariki and rangatahi spend a lot of time on their screens, they will have less time to be active. Screen time has been linked to headaches, neck and back pain, obesity, and a decrease in exercise in tamariki and rangatahi. 

Screen time and mental and emotional wellbeing 

Some types of screen time can negatively impact the mental and emotional wellbeing of tamariki and rangatahi. 

Social media is a common screen time activity, especially for rangatahi and older tamariki. Research shows that some elements of social media can negatively affect the mental health of tamariki and rangatahi. 

This can be related to things such as:

• comparing themselves to what they see online and feeling dissatisfied with their own bodies or lives 
• seeing what others are doing and feeling like they’re missing out or being excluded
• a pressure to constantly check notifications and messages 
• seeing inappropriate content 
• cyberbullying

See the KidsHealth page on screen time and brain development for more information 

What aspects of screen time are unhealthy for children and teenagers?

Research suggests that the potential negative health impacts associated with screen time are related to: 

• the amount of time tamariki and rangatahi spend on screens
• what activities screen time replaces 
• the content tamariki and rangatahi watch

What screen time replaces

Some of the poor health impacts of screen time are because screen time is mostly sedentary. If tamariki or rangatahi spend a lot of time on their screens, they will have less time to be active. If your child is having lots of screen time, they may be missing out on opportunities to be active, spend time outside, or connect with others. 

Content being viewed

All types of media can have a powerful influence on your child’s health and development. This could be a good or a harmful influence. 

If tamariki and rangatahi are exposed to inappropriate content on their screens, it can be upsetting and confusing. Tamariki and rangatahi may also experience online bullying or have upsetting interactions with others via their screens. The content that your child watches during screen time is relevant to the impact it can have on their mental and emotional well-being. See the KidsHealth page on keeping kids safe when online and watching media

Are some types of screen time better than others for children?

Researchers are continuing to better understand the impact of screen time on tamariki and rangatahi. Most of the research that’s been done is based on TV watching. Other screen types, like smartphones and gaming devices are actively being researched. 

So far, research has highlighted that different screen activities have different effects on tamariki and rangatahi. Television has been linked to attention difficulties, anti-social behavior and problems with language development. The impacts of newer forms of screen time, such as gaming or interactive educational apps, may be more complex. Some studies suggest that moderated gaming can improve thinking skills and problem-solving abilities. However, excessive gaming has been linked to addiction and impaired academic performance. 

It's important for parents and whānau to understand that each screen activity should be looked at individually. That way, you can help your child to strike a healthy balance.

How can I manage my child’s screen time in a healthy way?

There are lots of ways you can help your child manage their screen time in a healthy way. It is important to always monitor the nature of the content your child is watching to check it is appropriate for them. 

Being a good role model, setting parental controls and engaging with your child during screen time are just a few examples of the many ways you can help your child manage their screen time in a healthy way. See the KidsHealth page on tips for managing your child’s screen time for more tips and ideas 

Current knowledge and developing research

Researchers are continuing to better understand the impact of screen time on tamariki and rangatahi. A lot of existing knowledge comes mainly from observational research. This sort of research makes it challenging to separate the effects of screen time from other factors influencing a child's health and development. Most of the research to date is based on TV watching. Other screen types, like smartphones and gaming devices are actively being researched.