Screen time of primary school-aged children increased by one hour and 23 minutes per day during the pandemic

Square eye warnings may lose their effect during the COVID-19 pandemic, as school-age children show the greatest increase in daily screen time.

A new study has found that children ages six to 10 spend an extra hour and 23 minutes each day staring at screens, the biggest jump of any demographic.

But increases were observed in all age groups, including adults, according to scientists from Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge.

This is not only due to more screen time being spent in front of a screen for work or academic purposes, but also solitary leisure time has increased across all age groups.

Researchers found that increased screen time was associated with adverse effects on diet, sleep, mental health, and eye health in both children and adults.

In children, a significant relationship was found between screen time and behavioral problems such as aggression and tantrums.

However, screen time has increased in all age groups after COVID, including adults, according to scientists at Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge.

Senior author Professor Shahina Pardhan, director of the University’s Vision and Eye Research Institute, said: “This study is the first of its kind to systematically review peer-reviewed research articles on increased screen time and its impact during the pandemic. .

“By bringing together a large number of studies, we get a much more accurate picture of screen time and associated health effects among the population.

‘As with any study of this kind, there are degrees of variability between studies reviewed.

“However, the big picture clearly shows that screen time should be reduced wherever possible to minimize potential negative consequences.

These include negative eating behaviors, sleep, mental health, and eye health effects.

“It’s also important to encourage non-sedentary activities to reduce the risks of prolonging screen time.”

Researchers analyzed the results of 89 different studies that focused on increasing screen time before and during the pandemic through December 2021.

This provided a total sample size of over 200,000 individuals.

After school-aged children, the second-largest increase in time spent watching screens such as TV or computers was seen in adults.

Screen time for over 18s increased by 58 minutes, and teens aged 11-17 took third place with a 55-minute jump.

The study found that children under the age of five had the least increase in screen time, with an extra 35 minutes.

Screen time for leisure or screen time unrelated to work or study also increased across all age groups, but the largest increase was once again found in older children.

Data published today in eClinica Medicine revealed that screen time or screen time unrelated to work or study also increased across all age groups.

Again, children ages six to 10 showed the greatest increase, with 60 minutes per day, and adults were second, with an increase of 42 minutes.

Increased screen time has been found to be associated with poorer eye health in children, such as malnutrition and myopia.

It also refers to the deterioration of mental health in children, including anxiety, and behavioral problems such as aggression, irritability, and increased frequency of tantrums.

The study also identified correlations between more screen time and negative outcomes for adults.

This included adverse effects on diet, eye health, and mental health such as anxiety, depression, and loneliness.

It also had an impact on adults’ more general health, including fatigue, decreased physical activity, and weight gain.