Screen time can benefit children if spent with parents

A new Australian study questions the link between the amount of time children spend in front of a screen and potential problems in their development, academic skills and health. This meta-analysis, which covers a sample of 1.9 million children and adolescents, published in Natural Human Behavior even suggests a positive impact of hours spent in front of the television or computer on children’s general reading and writing skills, as long as these moments are shared with their parents.

“This means that taking time to watch screens with kids could be a good thing“, explains Rebecca Rolland, a speech therapist and lecturer at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, in an article she wrote for Psychology Today. This finding highlights the importance of the quality of interactions during screen time, rather than its quantity. According to her, the real question to ask is not so much the time spent by children in front of a screen, but what they do when they are in front of a screen and the interactivity that can result from it. “There’s chatting on video chat or Zoom, playing Roblox with friends, making videos to put on TikTok, and just scrolling. It’s important to keep in mind that all of these activities take place on the screen. But they are actually different activities, and they affect children differently“.

Fewer limits and more interactions

Although some aspects of screen time are associated with negative effects, such as excessive social media use and its links to depression in adolescents, the study highlights the need for balance. Researchers recommend a nuanced approach, considering the potential benefits and risks associated with different types of screen use. “Young children, especially those aged two and a half and under, may have difficulty distinguishing fact from fiction on screen. For them, screen time may be more problematic, especially if “It deprives them of the essential interactions they need with real-life people,” adds Rebecca Rolland.

These findings offer new insights for parents and educators regarding integrating screen time into children’s daily lives. Rather than imposing strict limits, the emphasis should be on enriching and educational interactions in front of screens. “Next time you’re with your kids, keep this in mind. Use technology to start conversations. Ask open-ended questions. See what screens are for your children. Help them use screens more actively“, advised Rebecca Rolland, “And, for teens in particular, encourage them to cut back on social media if they use it a lot. Help them determine which apps and interactions are most important to them, and focus only on those. This will help them become more self-aware and improve their mental health.“. Caution is therefore always required.