Parents may need to ration “screen time” for their children – but as part of a programme of positive activities, according to guidance issued for GPs today.
It is “impossible” to draw up simple lists of age appropriate time limits, the Royal College of GPs says.
The college guidance stresses the limited evidence about the benefits and the harms of the time children spend in front of screens – but says there is some evidence of links to poor mental health, sleep and fitness.
It calls for families to work together to adjust the time they all spend in front of screens.
Screen time ranges from passive television watching to time spent on social media on smartphones and potentially to active video games.
GPs are advice to give parents a list of questions to consider – such as whether the amount of time families spend in front of screens is “under control.”
They should ask if it interferes with other activities and whether it interferes with sleep.
They should also question the amount of snacking undertaken in front of the screen.
Dr Max Davie, from the college, said: “When it comes to screen time I think it is important to encourage parents to do what is right by their family. However, we know this is a grey area and parents want support and that’s why we have produced this guide.
“We suggest that age appropriate boundaries are established, negotiated by parent and child that everyone in the family understands. When these boundaries are not respected, actions need to be put in place with parents making consequences clear. It is also important that adults in the family reflect on their own level of screen time in order to have a positive influence on younger members.”
Meanwhile a new study, out today, finds that depression associated with social media is twice as high among girls as boys.
The study of 11,000 young people, conducted by University College London, found that just 4% of girls aged 14 said they did not use social media. This compared with 10% of boys.
Researchers found that 38% of heavy social media users showed signs of severe depression as did 12% of light users.
They also found that 40% of girls and 25% of boys reported experience of on-line harassment or cyber-bullying. The findings are reported in EclinicalMedicine.
Researcher Professor Yvonne Kelly said: “These findings are highly relevant to current policy development on guidelines for the safe use of social media and calls on industry to more tightly regulate hours of social media use for young people. Clinical, educational and family settings are all potential points of contact where young people could be encouraged and supported to reflect not only on their social media use, but also other aspects of their lives including on-line experiences and their sleep patterns.
“At home, families may want to reflect on when and where it’s ok to be on social media and agree limits for time spent online. Curfews for use and the overnight removal of mobile devices from bedrooms might also be something to consider.”
EclinicalMedicine 4 January 2018
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