Screen Grab Too much time with a computer, tablet or TV has serious implications for all ages.

Wise old owls and scientists say tech time is great – providing our screen interactions don’t distract us from real life, writes Paula Goodyer.

Bad news about too much time in front of the TV is hard to escape. Last year, researchers linked more than three hours of daily viewing to an increased risk of death, even in physically active people. But prolonged sitting isn’t the only potential health problem to stem from our increasing use of multiple screens.

Another is the impact of blue light, a special type of light emitted by electronic screens. According to Harvard’s School of Public Health, blue light suppresses melatonin, the hormone produced by the brain to help us fall asleep.

There are many benefits, of course. Technology allows kids to talk face to face with grandparents on the other side of the globe, or a parent to work from home when a child is sick. But it’s important to understand the effect of too much time spent interacting with screens, says Dr Kylie Hesketh, associate professor at Deakin University’s Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition.

Guidelines on maximum screen time for kids reflect concerns about the impact on brain development, Dr Hesketh says. “For children under two, the recommendation is no screens at all, and for two- to five-year-olds, no more than one hour per day. For children aged five to 17, no more than two hours of entertainment-related screen time per day.

“The reason why screen time for birth to five is so limited is because this age is a time of rapid brain development. The concern is that time in front of a screen can displace things such as interaction with other people and unstructured play, which are key drivers for learning and development. There’s also evidence that too much TV can have a negative impact on language and social development.

“Much of the evidence for restricting screen time for children is based on viewing TV,” adds Dr Hesketh. “There’s a gap in the evidence around our use of other screens, such as smartphones and tablets, because our knowledge hasn’t kept up with technology.”

Her advice is to have clear family rules about screen use, and be a good role model yourself. “Put the TV on for a purpose, to watch a program or play a game, rather than having it on all the time. And get everyone to put their phones away during meals and before bed. One advantage of new technology is that we can watch programs on demand, so now it’s easier to watch a show after dinner is over.” #

‘Some studies have found that watching a lot of TV in early childhood can result in problems with concentration at school.’ Associate Professor Kylie Hesketh, Deakin University