No evidence more screen time is harmful to kids

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused families and children to spend a lot more time in front of computer screens. Despite worries from parents, there is no solid evidence that screen time is harmful to kids (although it is a problem when coupled with inactivity or reduced sleep).

In response to increased screen time, parents should try to spend time with their children online. Furthermore, they should use age-appropriate parental controls and talk to their kids about cyberbullying. Ultimately, there is plenty of educational material online, and a little entertainment doesn't hurt either.

Key Takeaways:

• For all the controversy over the implications of too much screen time for children, devices are now unquestionably necessary for the US education system.

• Screens have allowed people to separate themselves physically from their friends and loved ones without becoming unhealthily isolated and lonely.

• There isn’t actually any hard evidence that screen time is always inherently bad for children.

"Arguing that screen time leads to cyberbullying is like saying school time leads to face-to-face bullying."