Latest news with #AlcovePress
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Parents' social media use could affect their kids even after they log off, new research warns
EDITOR'S NOTE: Kara Alaimo is an associate professor of communication at Fairleigh Dickinson University. Her book 'Over the Influence: Why Social Media Is Toxic for Women and Girls — And How We Can Take It Back' was published in 2024 by Alcove Press. Follow her on Instagram, Facebook and Bluesky. Many people try to limit the time they spend on social media when they're with their kids. But new research suggests social media use has a significant effect on interactions with children — even when adults aren't looking at their screens. Mothers who were in the habit of spending more time on social media talked much less to their kids when they played with them than did moms who spent less time on social networks, and that difference carried over when they weren't using their devices, according to a study to be presented Tuesday at the Digital Media and Developing Minds International Scientific Congress in Washington, DC. While past research has focused on how kids are affected when parents or guardians are on their screens, this study looked at the impact of cell phone use on parent-child interactions even when parents were offline, said Liz Robinson, a doctoral student at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa and lead author of the study. Mothers who used social media extensively spoke 29% less to their kids while playing with them — without their phones — compared with the moms whose social media use was low. Moms in the low-use category used social media an average of 21 minutes per day, while moms in the high-use category used social media an average of 169 minutes per day. Other uses of screens, including checking email or the weather, weren't associated with talking less to kids, according to the study of 65 toddlers ages 2 through 5 years old and their mothers in Alabama. Although Robinson's research has not yet been peer-reviewed or published in a journal, it doesn't surprise me. In my own research, people often say they still think about what they see on social media long after they log off. Although the moms in this study were physically present with their kids, it's possible their minds were elsewhere. 'Often our minds wander to activities that are more pleasurable naturally, and we know social media is that experience for most people,' said Kris Perry, executive director of Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development, a nonprofit to help kids lead healthy digital lives and the organizer of the Congress. Perry, who was not involved in the research, pointed out that social networks show us tailored content that is intensely interesting to us, so 'it makes you want to experience it longer.' Whatever the reason, kids need their parents to be mentally present when they play. Thankfully, there are things we can do to make sure our social media use doesn't interfere with our parenting. One of the most important things parents can do is to talk to their children all the time. Learning language is 'a major feature of optimal child development' and it's 'dependent on children expressing and receiving language from birth through (age) 18,' Perry said. Greater exposure to language tends to improve kids' brain development, academic outcomes, communication skills and language, she said. The interactions parents and kids have when they play are also important to children's socioemotional development, Robinson said, to help them develop their executive functions and attention spans and learn how to regulate their emotions. Interacting with adults is also one of the ways children learn what to prioritize. 'Kids are acutely aware of where a parent is looking,' Robinson said, 'and they learn what's important. So, when our gaze is constantly going towards a device, towards a smartphone, well, we're communicating to our children what's important in that moment, too.' That's why parents should make a conscious effort to be mentally present when interacting with their kids. 'Our attention is one of the best things that we can give to our children,' Robinson said, noting that this conveys to them that we love them. Robinson recommended that parents set aside certain times of the day to give their kids undivided attention. That's advice I also give when I speak to parent groups and at schools about how to handle kids' social media use. Of course, finding this time isn't easy. 'None of us can give our kids undivided attention all the time, but it can be helpful to think on a smaller scale,' Robinson said. 'Though I have many things to tend to today, I can give my child undivided attention for the next 15 minutes. That focused time goes a long way from the child's perspective.' When we're with our kids, we can remind ourselves 'there is nowhere but here, and there is no time but now in your child's mind,' Robinson said. 'And so, you have many other thoughts and many other priorities that are floating around in your head. But we can compartmentalize those and be fully present with our child, who knows only this moment, and only our attention.' Parents should also pay attention to how their social media use is affecting them and their children, Perry said. 'Understand what the impact of using social media is on you personally, and make sure that you're mitigating what those impacts are when you go to interact with your child.' A simple way to do that? Limit the number of times you check it per week and how long you spend on it each time. 'Reduce the amount of time you're on social media to prevent the likelihood that you would even inadvertently speak less' to your child, Perry said. And, of course, using social media less could also free up more time for parents to spend playing with their kids. Robinson said the biggest limitation of the research is that it's correlational — the authors couldn't establish whether social media was making parents more passive or whether more passive parents were using social media more. In addition, the study couldn't account for factors such as parents' mental health, income and education. I'd also love to see this study replicated with fathers, who should also be taking responsibility for playing with their kids and using social media responsibly. Still, the study suggests using social media more could reduce our conversations with our children, and that got me thinking. Next time I play with my daughters, I'll be checking in with myself on whether I'm talking to them or my thoughts are elsewhere. I'll also be more conscious of how much the content I'm seeing on social media is continuing to play out in my head even after I'm done scrolling. I might even talk to my kids about the changes I make as a result. Get inspired by a weekly roundup on living well, made simple. Sign up for CNN's Life, But Better newsletter for information and tools designed to improve your well-being.
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Some kids are in danger of getting addicted to their screens, new study suggests
EDITOR'S NOTE: Kara Alaimo is an associate professor of communication at Fairleigh Dickinson University. Her book 'Over the Influence: Why Social Media Is Toxic for Women and Girls — And How We Can Take It Back' was published in 2024 by Alcove Press. Follow her on Instagram, Facebook and Bluesky. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or mental health matters, please call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988 to connect with a trained counselor, or visit the 988 Lifeline website. Many parents are worried about how much time our kids are spending on their screens. But a new study suggests that, to figure out how these platforms are affecting our kids, we need to focus on something else. The amount of time kids spent on social media, mobile phones and video games wasn't associated with more internalizing symptoms of mental health problems such as anxiety and depression, according to the study published Wednesday, June 18 in JAMA, a journal of the American Medical Association. That time also wasn't associated with more externalizing symptoms of mental health problems, such as rule breaking and aggression — or with suicidal behaviors or suicidal ideation. What mattered was whether they were getting addicted. Addictive use is 'excessive use' that interferes with home responsibilities, schoolwork or other activities, said Yunyu Xiao, lead study author and an assistant professor in the department of population health sciences and department of psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York. 'They find a craving for it and cannot stop using it.' Almost half the young people studied were on a high trajectory of addictive use for mobile phones, and over 40% were on a high trajectory of addictive use for video games, according to the researchers. Kids with high or increasing use of social media and mobile phones were at two to three times greater risk for suicidal behavior and suicidal ideations than the kids on the lower trajectory, according to the study of over 4,000 US children over a period of four years. The participants were 9 or 10 years old at the start of the study. Other concerning results include: Young people whose social media use was high or increasing also had increased risks of symptoms of mental health problems. High use of video games was associated with greater risk of symptoms of mental health problems, suicidal behaviors and suicidal ideation. Girls were more likely than boys to have high trajectories of addictive social media use, while boys were more likely to have high trajectories of addictive video game use. Xiao acknowledged that the results were self-reported, and the study couldn't account for genetic or environmental factors that could have influenced the results. The study makes clear that parents should try to help kids avoid these kinds of addictions. 'Set boundaries early on,' said Melissa Greenberg, a clinical psychologist at Princeton Psychotherapy Center in New Jersey. She was not involved in the study. Kids should know that there are times when it's not OK to use cell phones, video games and other technology. She also suggested scheduling screen-free time during meals and at night so your family can wind down before bed. She recommended not allowing phones into teens' bedrooms after a designated time each evening. Greenberg also suggested encouraging — and, if necessary, planning — activities for teens that don't involve screens. When I talk to parents, I tell them to let their kids hang out with their friends more. A lot of parents worry about kids' safety when they get together in person, but it's often far more dangerous for them to be in their bedrooms on social media, where they could connect with predators or sextortionists or simply get addicted. Also, 'model a healthy relationship with your own devices,' Greenberg said. 'Parents should be mindful of their own use of devices around their kids and show them by example how to balance screen time and screen-free time.' The Anxious Generation, a movement sparked by Jonathan Haidt's eponymous book, ran a challenge last year, asking young people to commit to screen-free summer Fridays. Can you try doing it this summer with your kids? This week, I've been speaking at training sessions for counselors at summer camps in Wisconsin and New England to try to convince them that if they put their phones away, they can have the best summer of their lives. I point out that learning to get comfortable with ourselves and our own thoughts rather than pulling out a phone every time we have a spare moment is, unfortunately, a skill that requires practice these days. We can try it by going for walks (sans headphones), sitting and watching a sunset or lying around in a hammock. What could be more fun in the summer? It's also important to talk to kids about how screens can be addictive 'in a nonjudgmental way,' Greenberg said. 'Screens are meant to grab our attention … and social media platforms are designed to keep us going back for more. It's important for us all to be aware of this.' Finally, she said, parents should create device agreements with their kids, working together to decide things such as what kinds of use are acceptable and what the daily limits and consequences for breaking rules should be. 'Involve your teen in this process,' Greenberg recommended, so they understand the rationales. Then, watch kids carefully to see whether these strategies are working. A key takeaway of the study is that 'if we do not examine their addictive use,' Xiao said, 'we will likely miss it.' Signs that kids may be addicted include 'compulsive use or the uncontrollable urge' to use these platforms, Greenberg said. 'This may look like your teen frequently or constantly checking their phone every few minutes or turning to video games, even in situations where it's not appropriate or where they've been told not to' — such as at school, late at night or when they're doing homework. Other signs of addiction are when kids try to reduce their use but can't follow the limits or when they get into trouble at school or work — or even annoy friends — because they're on their phones too much. Kids who are addicted also may try to hide or lie about their use, then get defensive if parents ask about it, Greenberg said. Also, 'symptoms of withdrawal are a classic sign of addiction,' Greenberg warned. Kids may end up anxious, irritable, sad or angry when they don't have access to their platforms, she said. Another warning sign is when kids don't fulfill their responsibilities or engage in offline activities. 'This may look like teens not wanting to or feeling unable to engage in in-person interactions or feeling constantly distracted if they try,' Greenberg said. 'You may notice your teen not wanting to meet up with friends in person or not fulfilling responsibilities like homework or family responsibilities.' Finally, parents should watch out for symptoms that kids aren't getting enough sleep. 'Phone and video game addiction can lead to lack of sleep when teens stay up late on their phones or playing video games and so end up sleep deprived, which can lead to fatigue, irritability, anxiety and/or depression,' Greenberg said. If you think your child might be addicted, try not to be judgmental, Greenberg said. Keep in mind that they probably don't want to be addicted, and it isn't a sign you've failed as a parent. The problem is these devices seem to be designed to keep us hooked. 'We need to teach them, not shame them,' she said. Talk to your child about how they're feeling and try to understand why they're spending so much time on these platforms, she said. Schedule other activities and make or revise your device agreement. 'If you already have one, talk through what is and is not working' and 'troubleshoot,' she said. However, if the addiction seems to be having negative consequences or to be interfering with your child's functioning, seek help from a mental health professional, Greenberg advised. This latest research suggests parents should worry less about the amount of time kids are spending on screens and more about whether they're exhibiting signs of addiction. Parents can take steps to try to prevent it. However, if kids do appear to be addicted, it's important to get them help to avoid potentially serious outcomes. Sign up for CNN's Stress, But Less newsletter. Our six-part mindfulness guide will inform and inspire you to reduce stress while learning how to harness it.
CNN
18-06-2025
- Health
- CNN
Some kids are in danger of getting addicted to their screens, new study suggests
EDITOR'S NOTE: Kara Alaimo is an associate professor of communication at Fairleigh Dickinson University. Her book 'Over the Influence: Why Social Media Is Toxic for Women and Girls — And How We Can Take It Back' was published in 2024 by Alcove Press. Follow her on Instagram, Facebook and Bluesky. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or mental health matters, please call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988 to connect with a trained counselor, or visit the 988 Lifeline website. Many parents are worried about how much time our kids are spending on their screens. But a new study suggests that, to figure out how these platforms are affecting our kids, we need to focus on something else. The amount of time kids spent on social media, mobile phones and video games wasn't associated with more internalizing symptoms of mental health problems such as anxiety and depression, according to the study published Wednesday, June 18 in JAMA, a journal of the American Medical Association. That time also wasn't associated with more externalizing symptoms of mental health problems, such as rule breaking and aggression — or with suicidal behaviors or suicidal ideation. What mattered was whether they were getting addicted. Addictive use is 'excessive use' that interferes with home responsibilities, schoolwork or other activities, said Yunyu Xiao, lead study author and an assistant professor in the department of population health sciences and department of psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York. 'They find a craving for it and cannot stop using it.' Almost half the young people studied were on a high trajectory of addictive use for mobile phones, and over 40% were on a high trajectory of addictive use for video games, according to the researchers. Kids with high or increasing use of social media and mobile phones were at two to three times greater risk for suicidal behavior and suicidal ideations than the kids on the lower trajectory, according to the study of over 4,000 US children over a period of four years. The participants were 9 or 10 years old at the start of the study. Other concerning results include: Young people whose social media use was high or increasing also had increased risks of symptoms of mental health problems. High use of video games was associated with greater risk of symptoms of mental health problems, suicidal behaviors and suicidal ideation. Girls were more likely than boys to have high trajectories of addictive social media use, while boys were more likely to have high trajectories of addictive video game use. Xiao acknowledged that the results were self-reported, and the study couldn't account for genetic or environmental factors that could have influenced the results. The study makes clear that parents should try to help kids avoid these kinds of addictions. 'Set boundaries early on,' said Melissa Greenberg, a clinical psychologist at Princeton Psychotherapy Center in New Jersey. She was not involved in the study. Kids should know that there are times when it's not OK to use cell phones, video games and other technology. She also suggested scheduling screen-free time during meals and at night so your family can wind down before bed. She recommended not allowing phones into teens' bedrooms after a designated time each evening. Greenberg also suggested encouraging — and, if necessary, planning — activities for teens that don't involve screens. When I talk to parents, I tell them to let their kids hang out with their friends more. A lot of parents worry about kids' safety when they get together in person, but it's often far more dangerous for them to be in their bedrooms on social media, where they could connect with predators or sextortionists or simply get addicted. Also, 'model a healthy relationship with your own devices,' Greenberg said. 'Parents should be mindful of their own use of devices around their kids and show them by example how to balance screen time and screen-free time.' The Anxious Generation, a movement sparked by Jonathan Haidt's eponymous book, ran a challenge last year, asking young people to commit to screen-free summer Fridays. Can you try doing it this summer with your kids? This week, I've been speaking at training sessions for counselors at summer camps in Wisconsin and New England to try to convince them that if they put their phones away, they can have the best summer of their lives. I point out that learning to get comfortable with ourselves and our own thoughts rather than pulling out a phone every time we have a spare moment is, unfortunately, a skill that requires practice these days. We can try it by going for walks (sans headphones), sitting and watching a sunset or lying around in a hammock. What could be more fun in the summer? It's also important to talk to kids about how screens can be addictive 'in a nonjudgmental way,' Greenberg said. 'Screens are meant to grab our attention … and social media platforms are designed to keep us going back for more. It's important for us all to be aware of this.' Finally, she said, parents should create device agreements with their kids, working together to decide things such as what kinds of use are acceptable and what the daily limits and consequences for breaking rules should be. 'Involve your teen in this process,' Greenberg recommended, so they understand the rationales. Then, watch kids carefully to see whether these strategies are working. A key takeaway of the study is that 'if we do not examine their addictive use,' Xiao said, 'we will likely miss it.' Signs that kids may be addicted include 'compulsive use or the uncontrollable urge' to use these platforms, Greenberg said. 'This may look like your teen frequently or constantly checking their phone every few minutes or turning to video games, even in situations where it's not appropriate or where they've been told not to' — such as at school, late at night or when they're doing homework. Other signs of addiction are when kids try to reduce their use but can't follow the limits or when they get into trouble at school or work — or even annoy friends — because they're on their phones too much. Kids who are addicted also may try to hide or lie about their use, then get defensive if parents ask about it, Greenberg said. Also, 'symptoms of withdrawal are a classic sign of addiction,' Greenberg warned. Kids may end up anxious, irritable, sad or angry when they don't have access to their platforms, she said. Another warning sign is when kids don't fulfill their responsibilities or engage in offline activities. 'This may look like teens not wanting to or feeling unable to engage in in-person interactions or feeling constantly distracted if they try,' Greenberg said. 'You may notice your teen not wanting to meet up with friends in person or not fulfilling responsibilities like homework or family responsibilities.' Finally, parents should watch out for symptoms that kids aren't getting enough sleep. 'Phone and video game addiction can lead to lack of sleep when teens stay up late on their phones or playing video games and so end up sleep deprived, which can lead to fatigue, irritability, anxiety and/or depression,' Greenberg said. If you think your child might be addicted, try not to be judgmental, Greenberg said. Keep in mind that they probably don't want to be addicted, and it isn't a sign you've failed as a parent. The problem is these devices seem to be designed to keep us hooked. 'We need to teach them, not shame them,' she said. Talk to your child about how they're feeling and try to understand why they're spending so much time on these platforms, she said. Schedule other activities and make or revise your device agreement. 'If you already have one, talk through what is and is not working' and 'troubleshoot,' she said. However, if the addiction seems to be having negative consequences or to be interfering with your child's functioning, seek help from a mental health professional, Greenberg advised. This latest research suggests parents should worry less about the amount of time kids are spending on screens and more about whether they're exhibiting signs of addiction. Parents can take steps to try to prevent it. However, if kids do appear to be addicted, it's important to get them help to avoid potentially serious outcomes. Sign up for CNN's Stress, But Less newsletter. Our six-part mindfulness guide will inform and inspire you to reduce stress while learning how to harness it.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Screen time is both a cause and symptom of kids' bad behavior, according to new research
Kara Alaimo is an associate professor of communication at Fairleigh Dickinson University. Her book 'Over the Influence: Social Media Is Toxic for Women and Girls — And How We Can Take It Back' was published in 2024 by Alcove Press. Follow her on Instagram, Facebook and Bluesky. Does your child not listen to you? Do they kick and scream when they get angry? You may need to rethink their screen time, according to an article published Monday in Psychological Bulletin, a journal of the American Psychological Association. The more time kids spent looking at a screen, the more likely their actions and feelings didn't meet expectations for their stage of development, according to a meta-analysis of 117 studies of kids younger than 10½ when the research began. These socioemotional problems included anxiety, depression, hyperactivity and aggression. The association was small but significant, especially for girls. The studies were designed in different ways but the overall picture showed that trouble occurred when kids under age 2 had any screen time (other than video chats), when kids ages 2-5 had more than an hour per day of screen time and when older kids had more than 2 hours per day of screen time. Kids who spent a lot of time on games were particularly at risk. And 6-to-10-year-olds were more likely to develop socioemotional problems than children age 5 or younger. What's more, kids who experienced these challenges tended to turn to screens even more to cope, which could exacerbate the problem. This was especially the case for boys. 'High screen use isn't just a cause of problems — sometimes, it's a symptom,' said lead author Roberta Pires Vasconcellos via email , noting one of the most striking findings. 'In many cases, children who are already struggling emotionally turn to screens, especially video games, as a way to cope or escape,' said Vasconcellos , who is a n associate lecturer at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. 'While that might offer short-term relief, over time it can trap them in a cycle that reinforces those emotional difficulties.' One of the largest of its kind, the meta-analysis has limitations, however, because it couldn't account for factors such as parenting style or socioeconomic status, Vasconcellos said. And since the studies looked at screen time more broadly, they couldn't pinpoint the effects of social media use on kids' mental health. Nevertheless, this latest data on kids and screen time suggests specific actions parents or guardians can take to have a real, positive impact on their kids' mental health. Adults often give kids screens to help them calm down, especially during work time or in other situations when children need to be quiet, such as at a restaurant. 'While this may offer short-term relief, it can lead to longer-term problems,' Vasconcellos warned. That's because it may prevent kids from learning how to behave appropriately and handle their emotions. 'Instead of developing self-regulation skills, they come to rely on screens for comfort and distraction,' she said. 'This can reinforce a harmful cycle where emotional difficulties are masked rather than addressed, making it even harder for children to cope without a screen over time.' Look for signs that children are reaching for screens when they have a problem. Rather than assuming the problem is the screen itself, look at the bigger picture, Vasconcellos said. ' If you notice your child turning to screens more often when they're upset or withdrawn, it might be time to check in on how they're doing emotionally,' she advised. 'In some cases, they might be seeking the sense of connection or support they're not finding in their face-to-face relationships — at home, at school or in other social settings.' That's when they need parental support and guidance the most — 'to help them feel heard, understood and emotionally safe, both online and offline,' Vasconcellos said. School guidance counselors or therapists are also good sources of support. The amount of time kids spend gaming is also important to note, according to the study. ' Online games, in particular, pose additional risks because they often function like social media platforms,' Vasconcellos said. 'Since these games continue even when a player logs out, children may feel pressure to stay connected for longer periods, which can lead them to neglect important real-life activities like sleep, schoolwork and face-to-face interactions. 'For this reason, gaming may require extra attention and clearer boundaries — especially for older children, who are typically granted more independence in how they use their time.' It's important to set rules for kids' screen time and stick to them. 'Keeping rules consistent helps children know what to expect and makes limits easier to follow,' Vasconcellos said. Parental controls on phones and apps are also useful. 'Most devices offer built-in tools to help you manage screen time and filter content,' she said. 'Use these settings to set reasonable daily limits and ensure your child is only accessing age-appropriate material.' To help prevent kids from depending too much on devices, Vasconcellos suggests removing apps such as video streaming platforms that are particularly tempting. Instead, give kids content that is educational or that serves a good purpose. The results of this study didn't surprise me. In my research, therapists and teachers often complain that parents or guardians aren't willing to set limits and say no when their kids ask for screens. When I say no to my own kids, their reactions aren't always pleasant. I have to remind myself that, as their mom, it's my job to know what's best for them and to make decisions that will keep them healthy in the long run — even if it leads to short-term distress for us all. Limiting kids' phone use is also wise. A newly published consensus statement I coauthored with experts around the globe offers evidence that heavy use of social media and smartphones by young people is linked to problems with sleep, attention, addiction and body dissatisfaction. When I speak to parents about how to handle their kids' social media use, they often tell me they feel they need to give their younger kids a phone at the same age their older siblings got one. That's not true. Tell younger kids who make this argument that you are more experienced now and have more data showing how screen time can be harmful. Also consider attractive alternatives to a phone. One mom told me she offered her daughter $1,600 to wait until she was 16 to get a phone. Her daughter took the cash. While many people don't have that kind of disposable income, you can still be creative and propose other things that kids would like. Sleepovers with friends, or a family camping adventure are just some examples. No matter what you offer, it's important to rethink the way you let your kids use technology. Since screen time may be both a cause and a symptom of behavioral and emotional problems in children, get comfortable saying no. It may provoke kicking and screaming in the moment, but it will likely lead to better mental health in the long run. Get inspired by a weekly roundup on living well, made simple. Sign up for CNN's Life, But Better newsletter for information and tools designed to improve your well-being.
CNN
09-06-2025
- Health
- CNN
Screen time is both a cause and symptom of kids' bad behavior, according to new research
Editor's note: Kara Alaimo is an associate professor of communication at Fairleigh Dickinson University. Her book 'Over the Influence: Social Media Is Toxic for Women and Girls — And How We Can Take It Back' was published in 2024 by Alcove Press. Follow her on Instagram, Facebook and Bluesky. Does your child not listen to you? Do they kick and scream when they get angry? You may need to rethink their screen time, according to an article published Monday in Psychological Bulletin, a journal of the American Psychological Association. The more time kids spent looking at a screen, the more likely their actions and feelings didn't meet expectations for their stage of development, according to a meta-analysis of 117 studies of kids younger than 10½ when the research began. These socioemotional problems included anxiety, depression, hyperactivity and aggression. The association was small but significant, especially for girls. The studies were designed in different ways but the overall picture showed that trouble occurred when kids under age 2 had any screen time (other than video chats), when kids ages 2-5 had more than an hour per day of screen time and when older kids had more than 2 hours per day of screen time. Kids who spent a lot of time on games were particularly at risk. And 6-to-10-year-olds were more likely to develop socioemotional problems than children age 5 or younger. What's more, kids who experienced these challenges tended to turn to screens even more to cope, which could exacerbate the problem. This was especially the case for boys. 'High screen use isn't just a cause of problems — sometimes, it's a symptom,' said lead author Roberta Pires Vasconcellos via email , noting one of the most striking findings. 'In many cases, children who are already struggling emotionally turn to screens, especially video games, as a way to cope or escape,' said Vasconcellos , who is an associate lecturer at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. 'While that might offer short-term relief, over time it can trap them in a cycle that reinforces those emotional difficulties.' One of the largest of its kind, the meta-analysis has limitations, however, because it couldn't account for factors such as parenting style or socioeconomic status, Vasconcellos said. And since the studies looked at screen time more broadly, they couldn't pinpoint the effects of social media use on kids' mental health. Nevertheless, this latest data on kids and screen time suggests specific actions parents or guardians can take to have a real, positive impact on their kids' mental health. Adults often give kids screens to help them calm down, especially during work time or in other situations when children need to be quiet, such as at a restaurant. 'While this may offer short-term relief, it can lead to longer-term problems,' Vasconcellos warned. That's because it may prevent kids from learning how to behave appropriately and handle their emotions. 'Instead of developing self-regulation skills, they come to rely on screens for comfort and distraction,' she said. 'This can reinforce a harmful cycle where emotional difficulties are masked rather than addressed, making it even harder for children to cope without a screen over time.' Look for signs that children are reaching for screens when they have a problem. Rather than assuming the problem is the screen itself, look at the bigger picture, Vasconcellos said. 'If you notice your child turning to screens more often when they're upset or withdrawn, it might be time to check in on how they're doing emotionally,' she advised. 'In some cases, they might be seeking the sense of connection or support they're not finding in their face-to-face relationships — at home, at school or in other social settings.' That's when they need parental support and guidance the most — 'to help them feel heard, understood and emotionally safe, both online and offline,' Vasconcellos said. School guidance counselors or therapists are also good sources of support. The amount of time kids spend gaming is also important to note, according to the study. 'Online games, in particular, pose additional risks because they often function like social media platforms,' Vasconcellos said. 'Since these games continue even when a player logs out, children may feel pressure to stay connected for longer periods, which can lead them to neglect important real-life activities like sleep, schoolwork and face-to-face interactions. 'For this reason, gaming may require extra attention and clearer boundaries — especially for older children, who are typically granted more independence in how they use their time.' It's important to set rules for kids' screen time and stick to them. 'Keeping rules consistent helps children know what to expect and makes limits easier to follow,' Vasconcellos said. Parental controls on phones and apps are also useful. 'Most devices offer built-in tools to help you manage screen time and filter content,' she said. 'Use these settings to set reasonable daily limits and ensure your child is only accessing age-appropriate material.' To help prevent kids from depending too much on devices, Vasconcellos suggests removing apps such as video streaming platforms that are particularly tempting. Instead, give kids content that is educational or that serves a good purpose. The results of this study didn't surprise me. In my research, therapists and teachers often complain that parents or guardians aren't willing to set limits and say no when their kids ask for screens. When I say no to my own kids, their reactions aren't always pleasant. I have to remind myself that, as their mom, it's my job to know what's best for them and to make decisions that will keep them healthy in the long run — even if it leads to short-term distress for us all. Limiting kids' phone use is also wise. A newly published consensus statement I coauthored with experts around the globe offers evidence that heavy use of social media and smartphones by young people is linked to problems with sleep, attention, addiction and body dissatisfaction. When I speak to parents about how to handle their kids' social media use, they often tell me they feel they need to give their younger kids a phone at the same age their older siblings got one. That's not true. Tell younger kids who make this argument that you are more experienced now and have more data showing how screen time can be harmful. Also consider attractive alternatives to a phone. One mom told me she offered her daughter $1,600 to wait until she was 16 to get a phone. Her daughter took the cash. While many people don't have that kind of disposable income, you can still be creative and propose other things that kids would like. Sleepovers with friends, or a family camping adventure are just some examples. No matter what you offer, it's important to rethink the way you let your kids use technology. Since screen time may be both a cause and a symptom of behavioral and emotional problems in children, get comfortable saying no. It may provoke kicking and screaming in the moment, but it will likely lead to better mental health in the long run. Get inspired by a weekly roundup on living well, made simple. Sign up for CNN's Life, But Better newsletter for information and tools designed to improve your well-being.
