Editor’s Note: Kara Alaimo is an associate professor of communications at Fairleigh Dickinson University. Her book “Influence: Social media is toxic to women and girls – and how we can get it back” was published in 2024 by Alcove Press. Follow her on Instagram, Facebook and Bluesky.
Does your child not listen to you? When they get mad, do they kick and scream? They may need to rethink their screen time, according to an article published Monday in Psychological Breaking News, a journal of the American Psychological Association.
The longer the time children spend watching screens, the more likely they are that their behavior and emotions do not meet expectations for the development stage, according to a meta-analysis of 117 studies of children under the age of 10½ that began research.
These socioemotional issues included anxiety, depression, hyperactivity and aggression. The association was small, but especially important for girls.
Although the study was designed in a variety of ways, the overall picture showed problems occurred when children under 2 years old spent screen time (other than video chat), children between 2 and 5 years old spent screen time over 1 hour per day, and older children spent screen time over 2 hours per day.
Children who spent a lot of time playing games were especially at risk. And children aged 6-10 were more likely to develop socioemotional problems than children under five years old.
Furthermore, children who have experienced these challenges tend to turn to screens more to deal with, which can make the problem worse. This was especially true for boys.
“Not only is the high use of the screen, it’s not the cause of the problem. Sometimes it’s a symptom,” lead author Roberta Pires Vasconcellos said in an email, noting one of the most impressive findings.
“In many cases, children who are already struggling emotionally turn their attention to video games in particular as a way to cope and escape,” said Vasconcellos, an N-associate lecturer at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. “It may offer short-term relief, but over time, it can lock them in a cycle that reinforces those emotional difficulties.”
One of the biggest of this kind, meta-analysis, has limited meta-analysis, as it failed to explain factors such as parenting style and socioeconomic status. And, as research looked at Screen Time more widely, they were unable to identify the impact of social media use on children’s mental health.
Nevertheless, this latest data on children and screen times suggests specific behaviors that parents and guardians can take to have a real positive impact on their child’s mental health.
Adults often provide children screens to help them calm down, especially during work and other situations where they need to be quiet, like in restaurants.
“This may provide short-term relief, but it can lead to long-term issues,” warned Vasconcellos. This is because it can prevent children from learning how to behave properly and process their emotions.
“Instead of developing self-regulatory skills, they will rely on screens for comfort and distraction,” she said. “This can reinforce the harmful cycle of emotional difficulties being masked rather than being addressed, making it even more difficult for children to deal with without screens over time.”
Look for signs that children are reaching for the screen when they are having problems. Instead of supposing the problem is the screen itself, look at the larger image, Vasconcellos said.
“If you notice that your child is frequently turned to screen when they get upset or withdrawn, it may be time to check in how they are doing emotionally,” she advised. “In some cases, they may want a sense of connection or support they don’t find in face-to-face relationships in their home, in school, or in other social settings.”
That’s when they need parental support and guidance 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.
Research shows that it is also important to be aware of how much time children play games.
“In particular, online gaming poses additional risks, as it often functions like social media platforms,” says Vasconcellos. “These games continue even when players log out, so children may feel pressured to stay connected for a long period of time.
“Because of this, games may require particular attention and clearer boundaries, especially for older children who are given more independence in how they use their time.”
Set rules and use parent controls
It is important to set up rules for screen time for children and stick to them. “Keeping rules consistently helps children know what to expect and makes it easier to follow restrictions,” Vasconcellos said.
It’s also convenient to control your phone and app parents. “Most devices offer built-in tools that help you manage screen time and filter content,” she said. “Use these settings to set reasonable daily limits and make sure your child only accesses age-appropriate ingredients.”
Vasconcellos suggests removing apps such as video streaming platforms that are particularly appealing to children, in order to prevent them from becoming too dependent on their devices. Instead, give content to children who are educational or serve good purposes.
The results of this study did not surprise me. In my research, therapists and teachers often complain that parents and guardians are willing to set limits and say no when their children ask for screens.
When I say no to my child, their reactions aren’t necessarily fun. As their mom, I have to remember that it is my job to know what is best for them and make decisions that will keep them healthy in the long run.
It is also wise to limit your child’s phone use. A newly published consensus statement I co-authored with experts around the world provides evidence that the heavy use of social media and smartphones by young people is linked to issues of sleep, attention, addiction and physical dissatisfaction.
When I tell parents about how I handle my child’s social media use, they often feel that they need to give me a phone call of the same age as their older siblings got. That’s not true.
Tell young children who are currently having this discussion that you are more experienced and have more data to show how harmful screen times are.
Also consider an attractive alternative to your phone. One mom told her daughter to wait $1,600 and call her until she turns 16. Her daughter took cash. Many people don’t have such disposable income, but you are still creative and can suggest other things that kids want. Sleeping out with friends or family camping adventures are just some examples.
Whatever you offer, it’s important to rethink how to get your kids to use technology. Please be comfortable saying screen time can be both the cause and symptoms of a child’s behavioral and emotional problems. It may cause kicks and screams for now, but it could lead to better mental health in the long run.
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