05 Feb, 2025
Days when children spend after-class hours playing around with their friends on the blocks are becoming rare. The digital age has significantly changed how the younger generation uses their time, with screen time central to their daily lives. But while technology provides opportunities for education and entertainment, its overuse has raised concerns about mental, physical, and social well-being.
Issues such as depression, the negative effects of pornography, and the influence of excessive screen exposure on family dynamics are increasingly studied. Understanding these impacts is essential for families and caregivers to foster a healthier relationship with technology.
This article explores the extent of media use among young people, its downsides, and strategies for mitigating the negative outcomes.
The Prevalence of Screen Time in Youth
Media consumption among the younger population has surged over the past decade, with access to electronic devices becoming nearly universal. A report by Common Sense Media in 2019 revealed that 8- to 12-year-olds spend almost five hours a day on screens, while teens average nearly 7.5 hours daily, excluding screen use for schoolwork.
These numbers have been driven by a notable increase in the time spent watching online videos, with daily viewership among tweens and teens more than doubling between 2015 and 2019.
Furthermore, a study found that 97% of youth in America have at least one electronic device in their bedroom. Screen media activity (SMA) accounts for up to 60% of teenagers’ after-school time.
These statistics highlight the pervasive nature of media use in daily life. Both parents and children must understand its effects to minimize their health consequences.
Psychological and Social Effects of Excessive Screen Time
While media use offers opportunities for learning and connection, excessive time spent on screens has been associated with several adverse health outcomes.
Negative Consequences on Mental Health
Extended use of phones or other devices, especially when combined with exposure to inappropriate content, can contribute to emotional and behavioral problems. For example, the negative effects of pornography on young viewers have been linked to issues such as increased aggression, addiction, distorted perceptions of relationships, gender dysphoria, and feelings of isolation. Furthermore, studies have highlighted connections between pornography and depression , particularly among adolescents with regular exposure.
Physical and Developmental Concerns
Extended screen use can interfere with physical activity and sleep patterns. Sedentary behavior associated with prolonged media use raises the risk of obesity and related health complications. Sleep deprivation, exacerbated by the presence of electronic devices in bedrooms, has been shown to impair cognitive and emotional development. Addressing these issues requires a proactive approach from parents and educators.
Media and Gender Dysphoria in Children
The role of media in shaping perceptions of identity, including gender dysphoria in children, has become a topic of increased scrutiny. While it can be a contributing factor, it is not the sole cause of gender dysphoria.
Research involving identical twins found that gender dysphoria could develop and persist due to environmental factors, such as post-natal non-shared events . Environmental influences such as family and peer relationships, school and neighborhood dynamics, and experiences of abuse or trauma can impact how a child matures in both emotional and psychological aspects.
In a nutshell, media exposure, alongside chronic illness, war, or natural disasters, helps shape a child’s sense of identity.
These findings underscore the importance of providing balanced guidance and seeking support from professionals, such as a gender dysphoria therapist, to help children navigate these complex issues in a healthy and supportive manner.
The Role of Parents in Media Regulation
Parents can help advocate for healthy screen time and mitigate its adverse effects. Authoritative parenting, characterized by high levels of warmth and firm boundaries , has been identified as an effective approach to guiding children’s media use.
Setting limits on screen time, monitoring content, and encouraging alternative activities can foster a healthier balance between digital and non-digital experiences.
Why Are Mothers Important in Media Guidance?
Mothers often serve as primary caregivers and play a pivotal role in shaping children’s habits and values. By modeling appropriate media use and maintaining open communication, they can help children develop healthy boundaries. These limitations align with broader principles of family involvement that include promoting values like respect for human life and addressing challenges such as gender dysphoria in children with empathy and support.
Strategies for Reducing Screen Time
A randomized clinical trial published in JAMA Network Open demonstrated that reducing screen media use improves mental health among children and adolescents. Limiting leisure screen time led to a decrease in behavioral difficulties, particularly internalizing behaviors such as anxiety and depression. Additionally, children and teens who spent less time on their screens experienced enhanced positive social interactions.
Reducing screen media use has tangible benefits for children and adolescents. Practical strategies for parents include:
1. Set screen-free zones and times
Designate specific areas, such as bedrooms and dining rooms, as screen-free zones to encourage more face-to-face interaction. Similarly, establish screen-free times, ideally during meals or before bedtime, to boost meaningful conversations on the table and prevent disruption in sleep.
2. Promote alternative activities
Motivate your children to explore other hobbies such as reading, sports, or creative arts to reduce their reliance on screens for entertainment. Such activities involve physical movements and social interactions that provide additional benefits for mental and physical health.
3. Use parental controls
Use technology to fight technology. Leverage user controls to monitor and restrict access to inappropriate content. Doing so protects kids from porn addiction effects and other harmful influences.
4. Foster open communication
Parents should discuss the potential risks of excessive media use with their children, including topics such as the negative effects of pornography and their bad effects on mental health. Knowledge of healthy media use must start at home.
5. Set a positive example
Children are likelier to adopt healthy screen habits when parents model balanced media use. Demonstrate alternative ways to relax, such as exercising or spending time on meaningful hobbies, to inspire similar behaviors in children.
These strategies help families manage screen time effectively while encouraging purposeful interactions and a healthier lifestyle.
Broader Implications of Media Use
The consequences of being engrossed in online media extend beyond the home to societal and cultural levels. The spread of misinformation on overly sensitive topics, such as pediatric euthanasia and abortion, can lead to stigma, polarization and public misunderstanding. For instance, pro-life individuals believe that human life begins at conception and will strongly oppose abortion. However, there’s also the famous pro-choice slogan, “My body, my choice,” which supports it. Proponents of this movement think that banning abortion takes away a woman’s right to decide about her body, including bearing a child.
Online media has the power to shape people's perceptions and beliefs of complex topics and policies, resulting in debates that divide people. Parents must help children navigate these discussions thoughtfully, ensuring they're exposed to accurate information and diverse perspectives.
Set Boundaries for Screen Use
The prevalent use of media among children and adolescents demands a thoughtful and informed approach from parents, educators, and policymakers. While technology offers many benefits, the negative effects of excessive screen time on mental, physical, and social well-being cannot be ignored.
By implementing strategies such as authoritative parenting, promoting alternative activities, and fostering open communication, families can mitigate the risks associated with their online activity.
As the digital landscape continues to evolve, further research is essential to understand its long-term impacts on young people. Parents must remain proactive in addressing challenges like pornography and depression, porn addiction effects, gender dysphoria in children, and other risks to ensure young ones thrive in a supportive environment.
Syed has years of experience dealing with people, understanding their needs, and helping them find solutions to their problems.
As a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA), Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP), Certified Montessori Dementia Care Professional (CMDCP), Syed is committed to working closely with Senior and their family knowing what is it like for individuals facing a challenging time, at times groping in dark trying to figure what is the appropriate next step or care level for their unique situation.
Syed and Senex Memory Advisors are fully committed to working closely with families in creating a personalized, step-by-step process memory care plan at zero cost.
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