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A child using a mobile phone. (Tom Maddick via SWNS)<\/p>\n
By Talker<\/p>\n
By Stephen Beech<\/p>\n
Screen time among children<\/a> has soared over the last 30 years \u2013 particularly among youngsters from wealthier families, reveals new research.<\/p>\n The nature of screen use by children and teenagers has also shifted dramatically – from traditional television to more interactive and personalized digital devices such as mobile phones and video games, say scientists.<\/p>\n The findings come from the first systematic review to track long-term screen trends before and after the COVID-19 pandemic<\/a>.<\/p>\n Researchers analyzed 60 studies published between 1991 and 2022.<\/p>\n The review, published in the journal Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry<\/a>, is the first to comprehensively examine long-term trends in screen time use among young people across both pre-pandemic and pandemic periods.<\/p>\n Lead author Yuko Mori said the findings show that the nature of screen use has changed significantly during the study period.<\/p>\n (Photo by Boris Hamer via Pexels)<\/p>\n By Talker<\/p>\n Earlier studies focused mainly on TV viewing, but from the mid-2010s onward, research began to include newer devices, such as smartphones and tablets.<\/p>\n Mori, from the Research Centre for Child Psychiatry<\/a> at the University of Turku<\/a>, Finland, said: “Interestingly, even during the pandemic, television viewing continued to decline.<\/p>\n “School closures during the pandemic intensified screen dependence<\/p>\n “Before the COVID-19 pandemic, research showed a mixed picture, as most studies indicated an increasing trend while others showed mixed results.<\/p>\n “The majority of studies conducted after the pandemic showed a dramatic increase in both total and leisure screen time<\/a> among children and adolescents.”<\/p>\n Across age groups, older children and adolescents generally reported higher screen time<\/a> than younger children.<\/p>\n Co-lead author Sanju Silwal, also from the University of Turku, said: “This likely reflects developmental factors.<\/p>\n (Photo by Ron Lach via Pexels)<\/p>\n By Talker<\/p>\n “Adolescence is a life stage where peer relationships, online social interaction, and romantic relationships become increasingly central.”<\/p>\n The findings showed the increase in screen time was observed across socioeconomic groups, but was more pronounced among children from wealthier backgrounds.<\/p>\n The researchers suggest that may reflect greater access to personal digital devices.<\/p>\n They say the sustained rise in screen exposure raises concerns regarding potential impacts on physical health, mental well-being<\/a>, sleep, and development<\/a>.<\/p>\n Beyond time spent on digital devices, digital environments may also expose young people to cyberbullying, inappropriate content, and unrealistic body ideals.<\/p>\n (Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya via Pexels)<\/p>\n By Talker<\/p>\n Several countries have introduced regulatory measures in response to growing concerns about digital media use by children.<\/p>\n The researchers stressed that effective responses must be grounded in high-quality evidence.<\/p>\n Most research has focused on the duration of screen use rather than the quality, context, or content of digital activities.<\/p>\n But the researchers called for future studies to adopt a more nuanced approach, examining not only how much time children spend on screens but also what they are doing online and how it affects their well-being.<\/p>\n Silwal added: “Technology offers tremendous opportunities, but it also presents risks.<\/p>\n “To ensure that children benefit from digital environments, we need continuous research, evidence-based policies, and coordinated efforts from families, schools, communities, and governments.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A child using a mobile phone. 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