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A groundbreaking study led by a team of psychologists and mental health specialists from several Danish institutions, in collaboration with a researcher from the U.K., has demonstrated that significantly reducing screen time for children can lead to substantial improvements in their mental health. The findings, published in the journal JAMA Network Open, highlight the benefits of limiting children’s use of electronic devices to just three hours per week.
The Study
The research involved a randomized clinical trial with 89 families, including 181 children from 10 cities across Denmark. The study aimed to explore the impact of reduced screen time on various aspects of children’s mental well-being.
Methodology
The trial began with the researchers assessing the children’s mental health using the “Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire” (SDQ), which measures social skills, general behavior, emotional stability, and overall mental health. The participants were then divided into two groups: one group of 45 families was instructed to limit their children’s screen time to three hours per week (excluding school-related usage) for two weeks. To ensure compliance, video monitors were installed in the participants’ homes. The other group continued their usual screen time habits.
Findings
After the two-week period, the children were reassessed using the same questionnaire. The results were striking. The children who had limited their screen time showed significant improvements in social skills and reductions in behavioral problems and emotional issues.
Implications
The study’s findings add to the growing body of evidence that excessive screen time can be detrimental to children’s mental health. Prior research has linked prolonged use of electronic devices to issues such as antisocial behavior and difficulty managing emotions. This new study suggests that even a short-term reduction in screen time can lead to notable mental health benefits.
Context
In Denmark, children reportedly spend an average of 7 to 8 hours per day on personal electronic devices, highlighting the pervasiveness of screen time in their daily lives. This high level of usage underscores the importance of interventions aimed at reducing screen time to promote better mental health outcomes.
Conclusion
The research team, led by Jesper Schmidt-Persson, emphasizes the need for parents and educators to be mindful of the amount of time children spend on screens. They advocate for more structured screen time guidelines to help mitigate the potential negative impacts on mental health.
For more information, refer to the study: Jesper Schmidt-Persson et al, “Screen Media Use and Mental Health of Children and Adolescents,” JAMA Network Open (2024). DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.19881.
