New study finds children are at risk of mental health problems from using electronic devices.
A team of psychologists and mental health specialists from Denmark, along with a colleague from the United Kingdom, conducted a study. They suggested that cutting down children’s screen time to only three hours per week could greatly improve their mental health. The study involved 89 families in a randomized clinical trial to see how reducing screen time on electronic devices would affect children’s well-being.
Previous research has indicated that children who spend extended periods using electronic devices for activities such as watching movies, videos, social media engagement, or playing video games, are at risk of developing mental health issues like antisocial behavior and difficulty managing emotions.
In this new study, a team of researchers from Denmark conducted a clinical trial involving 89 families with a total of 181 children across 10 cities. Their objective was to determine whether reducing children’s screen time would lead to improvements in their mental health, and how quickly these changes might occur.
Using the “Utilising the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire,” the researchers initially assessed the children’s social skills, general behavior, emotional stability, and overall mental health. Subsequently, they instructed 45 of the families to limit their children’s electronic device use to just three hours per week, excluding school-related activities. Video monitors were installed in participants’ homes for two weeks to ensure compliance with these restrictions.
After the intervention period, all children were asked to complete the questionnaire again to assess any differences. The results revealed significant improvements in the children’s social skills, along with reductions in behavioral problems and better emotional regulation.
This study underscores the potential benefits of reducing screen time among children for enhancing their social and emotional well-being, highlighting the importance of managing electronic device usage as part of promoting healthy development.
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