Associations between screen time and lower psychological well-being among children and adolescents: Evidence from a population-based study

Abstract

Previous research on associations between screen time and psychological well-being among children and adolescents has been conflicting, leading some researchers to question the limits on screen time suggested by physician organizations. We examined a large (n = 40,337) national random sample of 2- to 17-year-old children and adolescents in the U.S. in 2016 that included comprehensive measures of screen time (including cell phones, computers, electronic devices, electronic games, and TV) and an array of psychological well-being measures. After 1 h/day of use, more hours of daily screen time were associated with lower psychological well-being, including less curiosity, lower self-control, more distractibility, more difficulty making friends, less emotional stability, being more difficult to care for, and inability to finish tasks. Among 14- to 17-year-olds, high users of screens (7+ h/day vs. low users of 1 h/day) were more than twice as likely to ever have been diagnosed with depression (RR 2.39, 95% CI 1.54, 3.70), ever diagnosed with anxiety (RR 2.26, CI 1.59, 3.22), treated by a mental health professional (RR 2.22, CI 1.62, 3.03) or have taken medication for a psychological or behavioral issue (RR 2.99, CI 1.94, 4.62) in the last 12 months. Moderate use of screens (4 h/day) was also associated with lower psychological well-being. Non-users and low users of screens generally did not differ in well-being. Associations between screen time and lower psychological well-being were larger among adolescents than younger children.

Digital Media Consumption and Youth's Interests in Ecosystem Services, Sustainability and Science as a Means for Disease Prevention

“…This is further consistent with the divisions observed in the literature over the effect of digital media on adolescent's well-being (Bell et al, 2015;Orben and Przybylski, 2019). Although the literature has mainly focused on digital media effects on youth physical (Dumuid et al, 2017;Chiasson et al, 2016;Poitras et al, 2017;Rosen et al, 2014;, psychological (Babic et al, 2017), social and neurological (Twenge and Campbell, 2018;Lissak, 2018) well-being with inconsistent results, our study of its effect on youth's interest in ecosystem services, sustainability and science as a means for disease prevention is just as equally important. Mainly because increased interest will lead to more commitment, and early commitment to sustainability and science as a means for disease prevention by the younger generation is key to the present and future developments in those fields, and thereby the well-being of humanity (Council et al, 2013;Smith, 1999).…”

“…Along with the above declined advantages, a growing body of literature associates excessive and addictive digital media consumption among youth, with physical Dumuid et al (2017), psychological Babic et al (2017), social and neurological (Twenge and Campbell, 2018) adverse consequences. Among the identified physical health effects are poor sleep and risk factors for cardiovascular diseases such as high blood pressure, obesity, low HDL cholesterol, poor stress regulation, impaired vision, and reduced bone density (Chiasson et al, 2016;Poitras et al, 2017).…”

Screen use habits among children and adolescents with psychiatric disorders: A cross-sectional study from Turkey

“…In today's world, the Internet and screen media use has an essential place in children's and adolescents' lives (Domoff et al, 2019;Lissak, 2018;Pluhar, Kavanaugh, Levinson, & Rich, 2019). The phrase "screen," in other words "electronic screen-based device use", involves television (TV), computer, tablet, mobile phone, and/or smartphone use that enables media connection, video game playing, and/or Internet access (Lissak, 2018;Twenge & Campbell, 2018). Screen time is the amount of time spent using an electronic device with a screen such as a smartphone, computer, television.…”

“…Children use screens not only for entertaining activities, such as video gaming, but also for information gathering, communication, or socialization. However, there are serious concerns about possible negative effect of screen-time spent on the well-being of children and adolescents (e.g., Kardaras, 2016;Twenge & Campbell, 2018). A growing body of literature has shown potentially adverse effects of excessive screen time on physical and psychological health, including academic and social functioning (Domingues-Montanari, 2017;Lissak, 2018).…”

Menciptakan Perempuan Cerdas Berinternet Melalui Penanaman Literasi Digital Komunitas ‘Ruang Berkarya Perempuan’

“…Berbagai studi telah dilakukan untuk menemukan kaitan lama penggunaan gadget (screen time) dengan kesejahteraan psikologis (psychological well being). Beberapa penelitian menemukanadanya hubungan antara screen time dengan rendahnya kesejahteraan psikologis seseorang (Khurana et al, 2015;Twenge & Campbell, 2018) sementara studi lainnya tidak menemukan adanya pengaruh lama penggunaan gadget terhadap tumbuh kembang seseorang anak (Granic et al, 2014;Odgers, 2018 Ryff menyusun konsep kesejahteraan psikologis bukan hanya sekedar 'bahagia', melainkan ketika tujuan hidup seseorang bukan hanya sekedar bahagia, melainkan hidup dengan moralitas yang baik. Untuk mencapainya, menurut (Ryff, 2014) ada beberapa faktor yang berpengaruh yakni Penerimaan diri (selfacceptance), Perkembangan diri (personal growth), Tujuan hidup (purpose in life), Penguasaan lingkungan (environmental mastery), Otonomi (autonomy), Hubungan baik dengan orang lain (positive relations with others).…”