Navigating the new normal: Paediatric health in the age of digital screen overload

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, screens have become an integral part of children’s lives, influencing how they learn, play, and connect with others. However, as digital devices become commonplace, concerns have emerged surrounding digital screen overload on paediatric health.

This article provides an expert insight into paediatric health in the age of digital screen overload, exploring the challenges and implications of navigating this new normal.

What is meant by digital screen overload?

Digital screen overload refers to the overexposure to screens, including smartphones, tablets, computers, televisions, and video games. For children, this means spending an excessive amount of time using these devices for activities.

While technology is essential for learning and development, particularly in the post-pandemic world where many educational tools have shifted online, extended screen time can however disrupt children's routines and impact their overall wellbeing.

What are the main health concerns related to excessive screen time in children?

Excessive screen time is associated with several health concerns, which can impact children’s physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. These include:

Eye strain and vision problems

Prolonged exposure to screens can cause digital eye strain, sometimes referred to as “computer vision syndrome.” Children’s eyes are also still developing, making them more vulnerable to these issues. Moreover, many children tend to hold screens too close to their faces, further increasing the risk.

Sleep disruption

The blue light produced by digital devices inhibits melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep. As a result, children who spend time on screens right before bedtime often experience difficulty falling asleep, reduced sleep quality, and shorter sleep duration. Insufficient sleep can then negatively affect children's mood, concentration, memory, and overall health.

Physical inactivity

Children need daily physical activity for healthy growth, strong bones, and muscle development. Screen overload limits their opportunities to engage in such necessary activities. This can contribute to increased risk of childhood obesity, poor motor skill development, and muscle weakness or postural problems due to sitting for extended periods.

Mental health

In some cases, constant screen use may also lead children to rely on digital interactions rather than forming meaningful, real-life relationships. This can lead to mental health concern, including anxiety, depression, stress, irritability, and social isolation. Additionally, the content they consume online can also contribute to poor self-esteem or unhealthy body image due to unrealistic portrayals.

Can screen time affect children’s development and behaviour?

Children learn best through hands-on experiences like play, interaction with others, and exploration of the physical world. When screen time dominates their day, children miss out on critical opportunities for cognitive growth, where they develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills, creativity and imagination, and vocabulary and language.

Children also learn social and emotional skills by interacting with their peers and family members. Over-reliance on screens for entertainment and communication can thus lead to difficulties navigating real-life social interactions and a reduced ability to regulate emotions, which are essential for their wellbeing.

Furthermore, screen overload has been linked to behavioural effects in children, including mood swings, difficulty concentrating on tasks that require sustained attention, and increased hyperactivity.

How can parents create a healthy screen time balance for their children?

Creating a balance between screen time and other activities is crucial for children's wellbeing. Here are several practical steps parents can take to manage their children’s screen use effectively include:

• Setting clear limits on screen time
• Creating screen-free zones and times
• Encouraging alternative screen-free activities
• Being a good role model by limiting their own screen use

Fostering healthy digital habits from an early age will encourage a balanced lifestyle that includes enough time for physical activity, creative play, social interactions, and rest.