BUFFALO, N.Y. — The kids might be out of school, but there is one aspect of it that will follow them through summer break. That’s a screen. From the TV to the tablet, it is inevitable that you’ll have some sort of disagreement about how much time they’re spending looking at a screen. There’s no magic number when it comes to screen time. It’s about safety, regulation and long-term impacts.

There are mental, developmental and physical issues that can come from too much screen time. Let’s start with how we sit when we are on a tablet or computer. We tend to hunch over, right? Dr. Mahvash Madni, a spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics and a community pediatrician, says that could lead to back, neck and shoulder issues in kids.

What You Need To Know

There are mental, developmental, and physical issues that can come from too much screen time
Doctors are seeing an increase in dry eyes and nearsightedness 
The blue light from screens before bed impacts sleep

She adds that we need to think about dexterity. Especially for younger kids. The swiping does nothing to help. They need to practice fine motor skills. Think Legos, blocks, playing with stickers, Play-Doh, drawing, etc.

Then there’s the issue of eyes. Madni says we forget to blink when we look at screens. There’s been a rise in dry eye issues because of that. Madni says watching screens is also leading to issues with kids seeing far away. The same is being seen in adults. Not to mention how blue light impacts our eyes and, beyond that, sleep.

“The blue screen and the content decrease your melatonin,” Madni said. “And you’re not able to fall asleep quickly. And then your quality of sleep decreases too.”

She mentioned content, another red flag for pediatricians. Between AI, cyberbullying and short videos, the impact it is having on kids and teens mental health is profound. A reminder to check in and know what they are up to, and who they are talking to.  

We asked Madni if there is a magic number when it comes to screen time. She said no, especially since computers and tablets are used for schoolwork. You can’t rush homework or a project. But she did say no screens for kids under the age of 2.

You can learn more from Madni in her podcast, “Down The Yellow Brick Road… a Journey With Your Pediatrician.”