Kiwi kids exceed device-time guidelines

Experts have called for a rethink of guidelines around children’s screen time, arguing a smarter “family-centric” approach is more practical than blanket time limits.

One of the authors of a new evidence review, former chief science adviser Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, has also cautioned against heavy screen time under lockdown becoming a habit once restrictions lift.

Current Ministry of Health guidelines recommend zero recreational screen time for children under 2, less than an hour a day for kids aged 2 to 5, and fewer than two hours a day for those aged 5 to 17.

Yet, ministry surveys find those guidelines are being exceeded by nearly 90 per cent of those under 14. And spending too much time watching TV, playing video games and using social media is a problem that grows with age.

Around 60 per cent of 2 to 4 year olds, 80 per cent of 5 to 9 year olds, and more than 90 per cent of 10 to 14 year olds are now gazing at screens for more than two hours a day, according to the most recent

data.

That has prompted researchers at University of Auckland-based Koi Tu¯: The Centre for Informed Futures to assess the latest evidence on the effects of screen time on children’s development – and whether official recommendations are adequate.

In their just-issued brief, authors Chloe Wilkinson, Dr Felicia Low and Gluckman, found the impacts of screen time on brains were complex and depended on a

range of factors.

They included the precise type of screen activity, the level of engagement by caregivers, and whether the content they were watching was age-appropriate.

Still, they found blanket screen limits didn’t reflect contemporary family life. Instead, they call for a fresh approach, where parents and caregivers aim to be more involved in their children’s screen time by monitoring content, choosing interactive screen activities rather than passive watching, and balancing screen use with family time.

Low, whose work is supported by the Wright Family Foundation, said there was growing evidence screen time could negatively affect children’s ability to focus their attention and regulate behaviour and emotions.

“The negative impacts are strongest when children use noninteractive, non-educational media instead of talking and playing with people and objects around them.”

Studies of teenagers had already linked excessive social media and internet use with poor mental wellbeing, impaired cognition and sleep disturbances, she said.

“We don’t know if this is a cause or consequence – if it’s causing problems or if it’s a symptom of teenagers with these problems using more social media and internet.”

However, she said researchers generally agree on what was called the “Goldilocks effect”.

“Just like finding the perfect temperature of porridge, not too little or not too much but a moderate amount is optimal for teenagers’ mental wellbeing.”