Square-eyed warnings may be losing their impact as elementary school-age children have seen the largest increase in daily screen time during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A new study has found that children between the ages of six and 10 stare at screens for an hour and 23 minutes longer every day – the largest increase of any population group.
But increases have been observed in all age groups, including adults, according to scientists at Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge.
This was not only due to the longer time spent in front of the screen at work or school, but also the leisure time in front of the screen increased across all age groups.
Researchers found that increases in screen time were associated with negative effects on diet, sleep, mental health, and eye health in both children and adults.
In children, a significant association was also found between screen time and behavior problems such as aggression and temper tantrums.
A new study has found that children between the ages of six and 10 stared at screens for an hour and 23 minutes longer every day during the pandemic – the biggest leap of any demographic
However, an increase in daily screen time has been observed in all post-COVID age groups, including adults, according to scientists at Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge
Lead author Professor Shahina Pardhan, director of the Vision and Eye Research Institute at the university, said: “This study is the first of its kind to examine systematically peer-reviewed research on increasing screen time during the pandemic and its implications.
“By bringing together numerous studies, we get a much more accurate picture of screen time in the population and the associated health effects.
“As with any study of this type, there are differences between the research findings examined.
“However, the bigger picture provides clear evidence that screen time should be reduced whenever possible to minimize potential negative consequences.
“These include poor dietary behaviors, sleep, mental health and effects on eye health.
“It’s also important that non-sedentary activities are encouraged to mitigate the risks of prolonged screen time.”
The researchers analyzed the results of 89 different studies that focused on increasing screen time before and during the pandemic up to December 2021.
This resulted in a total sample size of more than 200,000 people.
Adults saw the second largest increase in time spent looking at screens, such as televisions and computers, after primary school-age children.
Screen time for the over-18s increased by 58 minutes, and those aged 11-17 took third place with a jump of 55 minutes.
The study found that children under the age of five increased their screen time by the smallest amount, by 35 minutes.
Screen time during leisure time or outside of work or study also increased across all age groups, but the largest increase was again among primary school-aged children
Data published today in eClinicalMedicine shows that recreational screen time, or screen time unrelated to work or study, has also increased across all age groups.
Again, children between the ages of six and ten showed the largest increase of 60 minutes per day, and adults took second place with an increase of 42 minutes.
Increased screen time has been found to be associated with poorer diets in children and poorer eye health, such as myopia.
It also relates to the deterioration in children’s mental health, including anxiety, and behavioral problems such as aggression, irritability, and increased frequency of temper tantrums.
The research further identified correlations between more screen time and negative adult outcomes.
These included negative effects on their diet, eye health, and mental health, such as anxiety, depression, and loneliness.
It also impacted the broader health of adults, including fatigue, decreased physical activity, and weight gain.
