Long-Term Effect of Too Much Screen Time for Children

Online learning has become the new norm—at least for now while the coronavirus pandemic limits in-person activities and group gatherings. 

In some ways, virtual schooling provides a level of convenience: no more commuting to school, packing lunches, organizing backpacks or dealing with challenging in-person social dynamics such as bullying and cliques. 

But there are also some negative side effects and consequences to the virtual classroom structure, and some of them relate directly to the increase in screen time. A recent analysis found that increased screen time can lead to lower language development, while other studies have linked phone, tablet and computer usage with lower cognitive skills, behavioral challenges, sleep difficulties and more. 

Experts have also noticed a growing phenomenon referred to as “Zoom fatigue,”  which is an experience of tiredness, brain fog or distraction that can accompany too much time spent video conferencing. 

Pre-COVID, children and teens were already spending an average of more than seven hours a day on phones, television and computers. When you add in multiple hours each day for virtual classroom activities, that is a whole lot of screen time. Our eyes didn’t evolve to stare at screens for multiple hours every day, and our bodies often experience negative side effects from sedentary lifestyles. 

To counteract these repercussions, experts recommend taking a 20-second break to view something 20 feet away every 20 minutes and using a blue-light-filter while on your computer. Longer breaks every 1-2 hours or after a particularly strenuous activity can also be helpful. 

Virtual learning is new for many families and teachers, so it is important that we all work together. We developed TeachPar as a way for parents, students and educators to get on the same page, stay organized and communicate more effectively. Our classroom management tools are a great way to keep track of assignments and due dates so both parents and students can minimize their screen time. 

For more information, visit www.teachpar.com.