Media and technology use predicts ill-being among children, preteens and teenagers independent of the negative health impacts of exercise and eating habits

Abstract

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no screen time for children under the age of 2 and limited screen time for all children. However, no such guidelines have been proposed for preteens and teenagers. Further, research shows that children, preteens, and teenagers are using massive amounts of media and those with more screen time have been shown to have increased obesity, reduced physical activity, and decreased health. This study examined the impact of technology on four areas of ill-being–psychological issues, behavior problems, attention problems and physical health–among children (aged 4–8), preteens (9–12), and teenagers (13–18) by having 1030 parents complete an online, anonymous survey about their own and their child's behaviors. Measures included daily technology use, daily food consumption, daily exercise, and health. Hypothesis 1, which posited that unhealthy eating would predict impaired ill-being, was partially supported, particularly for children and preteens. Hypothesis 2, which posited that reduced physical activity would predict diminished health levels, was partially supported for preteens and supported for teenagers. Hypothesis 3, that increased daily technology use would predict ill-being after factoring out eating habits and physical activity, was supported. For children and preteens, total media consumption predicted illbeing while for preteens specific technology uses, including video gaming and electronic communication, predicted ill-being. For teenagers, nearly every type of technological activity predicted poor health. Practical implications were discussed in terms of setting limits and boundaries on technology use and encouraging healthy eating and physical activity at home and at school.

School children’s use of digital devices, social media and parental knowledge and involvement – the case of Abu Dhabi

“…Surveys conducted on parents suggest that many buy home computers and subscribe to get Internet access to provide their children with educational resources (Turow 1999;DeBell and Chapman 2003;Greenfield and Yan 2006;Livingstone and Haddon 2008;Henderson 2011). In addition, research points out that the use of social media among children has increased extensively (Rosen et al 2014;Willett 2015). Wilson et al (2005) show that children's susceptibility to media influence can vary according to their gender and age, and they conclude with guidelines to help parents enhance the positive effects of the media while minimizing the risks associated with certain types of content.…”

How Do Second Grade Students in Primary Schools Use and Perceive Tablets?

“…In order to make a balance on reading skills, it is thought that delivering course books in a printed version instead of totally digital ones and supplying supportive resources for reading skills on tablets can be a good solution for the equilibrium. In many studies, it has been realized that there has been a mean relationship between obesity, low school performance, problems on interaction with peers, low level of reading book, attention problems, addictiveness, lack of learning and the duration of using digital devices [32,33]. For this reason, it will be more suitable that there should have a plan for using tablets in terms of duration.…”

The neuroscience and context of adolescent depression

“…Total media exposure in adolescence has been associated with an increased risk of depressive symptoms in young adulthood, especially for males (56), and more than two hours of Internet use per day has been related to increased self-reported depression scores (57). The use of technology seems to have a negative effect on adolescent mental health that is independent of sedentariness, lack of sleep or poor eating habits (58). Cultural messages transmitted through media may drive depressive symptomatology by repeating the exposure of highly idealised and simplified characters and situations, leading to increased comparison of one's self with unrealistic images (56).…”