Prolonged Screen Exposure During COVID-19—The Brain Development and Well-Being Concerns of Our Younger Generation

Abstract

COVID-19 is a significant public health crisis and it has given a major impact especially in the field of education. The situation has forced educators around the world to shift to an online mode of teaching and children are forced to study online at home. The benefits of online learning are undeniable, but the possible long-term developmental risks of prolonged screen use should not be overlooked. Recent research findings have clearly suggested the negative effects of screen time on the brain development and well-being of our younger generation. Considering the possible long-term developmental risks of prolonged screen use, policy makers should consider appropriate public health policy (e.g., recommendations on screen time) and guideline for the implementations of online learning (e.g., allowing flexibility to suit individual needs). Multidisciplinary collaboration between policy makers, health care professionals, schools, and parents is required to rethink the current situation before it is too late.

Lessons from Learner Home Engagement Prior to and during Covid-19: Are Parents and Guardians Prepared for Future Crises?

“…In parallel to the teaching medium being shifted, the learning medium for young people also changed. From a face-toface medium, the shift often moved to that of a screen [25]. Whilst a screen for some may have been quite large, for others it would have been much smaller, perhaps the size of a smartphone screen [26].…”

Perspective chapter: Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Learning Courses

“…Recent research has clearly explained that there are some health risks associated to screen time. Wong [30] found that e-learning requires time but has some risk factors attached to an individual's health, that is, brain development and well-being.…”

Igualdade Racial

“…As dificuldades encontradas foram inúmeras e, muito frequentemente, não superadas, a julgar pelos primeiros números disponíveis referentes à alfabetização (BID et al, 2021a;Todos pela Educação, 2021a). Para o desenvolvimento das atividades remotas, por exemplo, o meio que pareceria ideal, as plataformas de ensino a distância -pois permitem a interação de todos, estudantes e professores -é um recurso indisponível para muitos, desprovidos dos equipamentos e da infraestrutura necessárias (Rolon et al, 2021), além de inoportuno, especialmente para as crianças da educação infantil ou em idade de alfabetização, devido ao tempo demasiadamente longo de exposição a telas (Singh e Balhara, 2021;Wong, 2021).…”