Screen Time in Children and Adolescents: Is There Evidence to Guide…

Ashton JJ, Beattie RM. Screen time in children and adolescents: is there evidence to guide parents and policy? Lancet Child Adolesc Health. 2019 May;3(5):292-294. doi: 10.1016/S2352-4642(19)30062-8. Epub 2019 Mar 8. PMID: 30853301.

The rise of the digital environment is unquestionable. Children and young people in developed countries now grow up with computers, tablets, and mobile phones intertwined with their development. There is no doubt that much more time is spent online compared with previous generations. Substantial interest exists for the effects of screen time, social media, and digital entertainment on various contemporary issues of child development, obesity, and mental health.1,2 The general public and health-care professionals typically perceive extended screen time as negative, with frequent media reports on the adverse effects on sleep, diet, social interaction, and family life. However, the evidence underlying this perception is limited and often clouded by confounding factors including socioeconomic grouping and negative associated behaviours (eg, snacking and reduced exercise).3 Recent 2019 guidance from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), based on a systematic review of available evidence, provides practical, pragmatic advice to children and young people and parents and concludes that evidence for an absolute screen time limit is weak.4 The guidance also points out that the seeming adverse effects of screen time can often be attributed (at least in part) to loss of other positive activities, such as exercise, social contact with friends, and good sleep hygiene.4 They recommend the amount of time a child or young person spends on devices should be tailored to the individual, with special attention when introducing technology to younger infants or toddlers, and practical techniques for healthy and sensible strategies for how to best manage screen time.

Disponível Em: <https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/>