Screen time is an unavoidable part of modern life, but there are ways to reduce it without sacrificing productivity or overall enjoyment. An increase in screen time is associated with a number of negative effects, including poorer mental and physical health. A 2017 study found that young people aged between 8 and 18 who spend more than two hours a day watching TV or using a screen are more at risk of obesity. Another study of more than 12,000 people found that spending more than three hours in front of a screen every day was associated with premature death from cardiovascular disease.
However, the benefits of screen time are often overlooked. Screen time can provide children with important educational benefits, such as increased literacy skills and improved communication. Recent research has found that using screens to support learning at home can help to improve children’s academic performance and reduce summer reading loss. Adults also benefit from increased screen time, with research showing that it can improve focus and productivity in the workplace, as well as help people to relax.
Although there are some benefits of screen time, it is important to limit the time we spend online so that we can maintain our health and wellbeing. Here are a few tips you can use to limit your screen time so you can enjoy the positive benefits it provides without the negative side effects.
The first thing you can do to limit your screen time is to set yourself some clear rules about when you can use your devices. For example, you could agree that you will only use your phone or tablet during certain times of the day, such as after dinner or while watching television. This will allow you to disconnect from your phone or other device at the end of the allocated time period so that you can enjoy some quality downtime with your family. You could also set a time limit for each session – for example, you agree to stop using your phone after half an hour of browsing social media.
The second thing you can do to limit your screen time is to prioritize other activities. Rather than sitting in front of the TV or scrolling through social media on your phone, try spending more time doing things that you enjoy, such as socializing with friends or going on a family walk.
Try restricting the time your children spend in front of the TV to no more than two hours a day – this may help to improve their attention spans and increase their physical activity levels.
Taking breaks from screen time can help to prevent the symptoms of digital eye strain, which can occur when your eyes become tired from the strain of looking at computer screens for long periods of time.
To conclude, although there are lots of benefits to spending time online or on your devices, it is important to keep your screen time under control to minimise the negative effects it can have on your health and your family.
