Mother taking away smartphone. (© Кирилл Рыжов - stock.adobe.com)
ODENSE, Denmark — Drastically reducing children’s leisure screen time to just three hours per week can lead to significant improvements in their mental health and behavior in as little as two weeks, a new study shows. The research, led by Dr. Jesper Schmidt-Persson from the University of Southern Denmark, offers a powerful and actionable strategy for parents concerned about their children’s well-being in our increasingly digital world.
The study, published in JAMA Network Open, involved 89 families with 181 children and adolescents between four and 17 years-old. Half of these families were asked to limit their leisure screen time to a maximum of three hours per week per person – a dramatic reduction from the average seven to eight hours per day that many children typically spend on screens for entertainment.
The results were remarkable. After just two weeks (14 days) of this reduced screen time regimen, children in the intervention group showed significant improvements in their overall behavior and emotional well-being. Using a standardized assessment tool called the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), researchers found that these children experienced a decrease in behavioral difficulties equivalent to moving from the “borderline” category to the “normal” category.
This rapid and substantial improvement is particularly striking given the short duration of the study. It suggests that even a brief period of reduced screen time can have measurable benefits for children’s mental health.
The most notable improvements were seen in internalizing symptoms – those related to emotional problems and difficulties with peers – and in prosocial behavior, which involves being considerate and helpful towards others. This indicates that reducing screen time may help children better process their emotions and improve their social interactions.
Dr. Schmidt-Persson emphasizes that the three-hour limit applied specifically to leisure screen time, not including necessary screen use for school or homework. This distinction is crucial, as it focuses on moderating recreational screen use rather than eliminating all screen time.
The study’s findings are especially relevant in today’s digital landscape, where children’s screen time has reached unprecedented levels. Recent surveys indicate that many children and teens spend seven to eight hours per day on screens for entertainment alone, not including time spent on screens for educational purposes.
While previous research has hinted at a link between excessive screen time and poor mental health, this study is one of the first to demonstrate a causal relationship through a randomized controlled trial. The speed and extent of the improvements observed provide compelling evidence for the potential benefits of screen time reduction.
However, the researchers caution against interpreting these results as a call to eliminate screen use entirely. Instead, they advocate for a more balanced approach, where families set reasonable limits and engage in alternative activities together.
For parents seeking practical ways to support their children’s mental health, this study offers a clear and achievable goal: aim for no more than three hours of leisure screen time per week. While this may seem challenging in our screen-dominated world, the potential benefits – improved emotional well-being, better peer relationships, and increased prosocial behavior – make it a worthwhile endeavor.
As we navigate the complexities of raising children in the digital age, this research provides a beacon of hope. It suggests that by making a concerted effort to reduce screen time, even for a short period, we can potentially see significant improvements in our children’s mental health and social development.
The study’s findings open up new avenues for further research, including investigations into the long-term effects of sustained screen time reduction and the development of practical strategies to help families achieve and maintain healthier digital habits.
In a world where digital devices are increasingly ubiquitous, this research offers a powerful reminder of the importance of balance. By consciously limiting screen time to just 3 hours a week, families may be able to unlock significant benefits for their children’s well-being in a surprisingly short amount of time.
Paper Summary
Methodology
The researchers recruited 89 families and randomly divided them into two groups. The intervention group had to reduce leisure screen time to 3 hours or less per week and hand over smartphones and tablets, while the control group maintained their usual habits. The study lasted for two weeks, with parents completing questionnaires about their children’s behavior before and after the intervention period.
Key Results
After two weeks, children in the screen reduction group showed a significant improvement in their total difficulties score on the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. The between-group mean difference was -1.67 points, favoring the screen media reduction intervention. The effect size was moderate (Cohen’s d of 0.53). The largest improvements were in internalizing symptoms and prosocial behavior.
Study Limitations
The study was short-term, lasting only two weeks, so long-term effects are unknown. Parents knew which group they were in, potentially biasing their responses. The participating families volunteered for the study, suggesting they might have been more motivated to reduce screen time than the general population.
Discussion & Takeaways
This study provides strong evidence that reducing leisure screen time to just 3 hours per week can rapidly improve children’s mental health. The findings suggest that excessive screen use may be displacing important social interactions and activities that support emotional well-being. While more research is needed on long-term effects, this study highlights the potential for simple, short-term interventions to support children’s mental health in our digital world.