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Did you know how much time teenagers spend on screens every day? The results are staggering!
In the digital age, we are surrounded by screens all the time. According to the latest survey, the average time teenagers spend on various screens every day has reached an alarming figure. So what impact does this have on their physical and mental health?
Screen time definition and context
Screen time refers to the time spent using devices that have a screen, including smartphones, computers, televisions, game consoles and laptops. Screen time and its impact on mental health have become important research topics in recent years. Research shows that screen time is strongly associated with physical and mental health risks in children's development.
According to a 2016 survey, the median screen time for U.S. residents is 3.7 minutes per hour per day, and the screen time for teenagers increases with age from hours to teens.
Trends in Teen Screen Use
According to a study of American teenagers, the use of mobile phones and tablets has increased significantly, gradually replacing traditional television and video games. Data from 2017 shows that screen time on mobile phones and mobile devices has increased from 4% in 2011 to 35%. This change shows that modern teenagers are becoming increasingly dependent on mobile devices and their lives are almost inseparable from these digital devices.
The influence of family and social factors
The socioeconomic status of a family has a significant impact on screen time. There are clear differences in the amount of time children spend on screen in families of different ethnicities and economic statuses. Generally, when the family is in better economic conditions, parents are more inclined to limit their children's screen time, while in families with lower economic conditions, screen use is relatively higher.
The study shows that children in white families spend an average of 8.5 hours a day using digital media, while black and white and Latino children spend an average of 13 hours a day using digital media. This difference in screen time may also be due to the accessibility of devices.
Impact during the epidemic
The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 forced people to stay at home, further increasing screen time. Experts are calling for greater awareness of screen time and promoting more active lifestyles. Accordingly, many governments have begun to implement regulations to reduce the impact of excessive screen use on teenagers.
Health problems and sleep disturbances
Excessive screen time is strongly linked to poor health in teens, especially when it comes to sleep. Prolonged screen time can reduce sleep quality and increase the time it takes to fall asleep. Studies have shown that the release of blue light can interfere with the human endocrine system, especially when using electronic products before going to bed, the impact on the sleeping environment is particularly significant.
According to a study, 70% of teenagers aged 12 to 18 use their mobile phones within 30 minutes before going to bed. Additionally, 54% of teens wake up due to notifications, which further affects their sleep quality.
Mental Health Impact
In addition to sleep problems, long-term screen use among teenagers may also trigger a series of mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression. The psychological adjustment ability of adolescents growing up in such an environment may be seriously challenged.
Importance of limiting screen timeIn the face of the increasingly serious problem of screen time, it is necessary for families and society to take measures to intervene. Experts recommend that parents should limit the amount of screen time children and teenagers spend each day and encourage more outdoor activities.
ConclusionTeens are spending more and more time using screens every day, which has an impact not only on their physical health but also on their mental health. Living in a digital and anonymous society, should we rethink this lifestyle and its possible consequences?
