Research Says to Worry Less About Your Kids’ iPhone, iPad Usage

Despite all we’ve learned in recent years about the dangers and potentially addicting nature of smartphone and tablet usage, a new study examining the issue has revealed there’s actually very little evidence suggesting that excessive screen usage is harmful to children.

Rather, according to the study conducted by researchers with University College, London and The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), parents of children under the age of 18 should “worry less” about their kids’ screen time, but only as long as they’ve thoroughly discussed the potential effects with their kids already.

Here’s What You Should Know

According to the report, as outlined by BBC News, while correlations have previously been found between higher screen use and health issues like childhood obesity and depression, researchers were unable to discern whether screen use was actually causing these health problems — or if those with them already were more likely to spend more time staring into their screens.

Ultimately, the findings suggest that there’s simply “not enough evidence” that screen time is harmful to a child’s health at any age — however, parents should be taking a more “active role” in helping their children understand that the less time they spend with their screen, the better.

Ask These Questions

To assist parents with helping their kids make better decisions about their screen time use, researchers under the guidance of RCPCH President, Dr. Russell Viner, published the following discussion questions:

• Is your family’s screen time under control?
• Does screen use interfere with what your family wants to do?
• Does screen use interfere with sleep?
• Are you able to control snacking during screen time?

Why Worry?

Conclusively, study co-author and RCPCH officer of health promotion, Dr. Max Davie, noted that devices like phones, computers and tablets are “a great way to explore the world”,  but (especially in light of recent reports), parents have been made to feel like there’s something “indefinably wrong” about their children using devices.

“We want to cut through that and say ‘actually if you’re doing OK and you’ve answered these questions of yourselves and you’re happy, get on and live your life and stop worrying’,” Dr. Davie says.

“But, if there are problems and you’re having difficulties, screen time can be a contributing factor.”

Parents Respond

Sadly, while these findings may bode well with some parents, the majority — at least of those who reached out to BBC amid its publication of the report — beg to differ, with many indicating that the guidance simply doesn’t go far enough to address the issue.

“There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that screen time is damaging school performance and sports performance and [is] dangerously addictive,” said Andy, whose son is 14-years old, in response to the article, adding that he achieved better results by restricting his son’s screen time usage to the weekend, and, “despite some grumbling”, soon thereafter began noticing marked improvements in his son’s school performance.

Interestingly, RCPCH President and lead researcher, Dr. Russell Viner, appeared to concede by noting that parents, first and foremost, should consider their own screen usage patterns to better determine if excessive screen time is an issue in their family, and specifically if it might be affecting their child’s development and everyday life.

“One size doesn’t fit all, parents need to think about what’s useful and helpful for their child,” Dr. Viner notes, adding that “We need to stick to advising parents to do what they do well, which is to balance the risks and benefits.”