The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Surgeon-General has released an advisory on the harms of excessive screen use for children and adolescents (there is currently no confirmed US Surgeon-General), reports JAMA Network.
The report raises awareness about the risks associated with screen use among children, like developmental and cognitive effects from early exposure and excessive use, and also highlights concerns about age-inappropriate content, substance-use promotion, online exploitation, and dangerous viral challenges.
Screen use may lead to harm, the advisory warned, if it causes irritability when stopped, concealment of online behaviour, or failed attempts to reduce use.
The advisory includes a toolkit for helping children develop less harmful digital habits, suggesting that parents delay screen time as long as possible, set expectations for healthy screen use, model expected behaviour, provide alternative activities, and schedule screen-free time.
The recommendations specify no screen time for children younger than 18 months, less than one hour a day for those younger than six years old, and less than two hours a day for those aged six to 18.
It also proposes that schools reduce or ban non-instructional devices, provide “digital citizenship” education, and promote opportunities for in-person engagement.
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