It’s no longer up for debate: Children who spend too much time on screens will develop behavioral problems. In some cases, they can develop severe cognitive development issues. For a long time, it’s been proven that screens distract kids. For example, you can put your child in front of the TV, and he or she will become completely immersed in a movie while you clean. They can also easily scroll for hours as well.

We know that technology and screens are here to stay. They quickly became a fantastic asset to our lives. However, we must use them responsibly. Just like everything else in life, misuse and weak boundaries can hurt us. We must manage technology with clear boundaries.

As a homeschool parent, you took a leap of faith by taking your child’s future into your hands. Online resources, such as video games, TV shows, and social media, may make your life easier in the short term. However, limited screen time holds greater benefits for your child.

For thousands of years, humans connected well without screens. Children from the past didn’t die of boredom, and neither will your children. To be honest, my mom used strict rules surrounding screen time. And I wasn’t often bored as a child. Boredom forces children to use their imaginations. This then develops new synapses in the brain. Thus, the brain develops and grows just by imagining. Everything we have in this world exists because of imagination. An individual even used his imagination to create a computer. Before they created it in the physical reality, they saw and created it in their minds. The study included below highlights how these screens not only affect our cognitive development, but they also affect the way our brains develop physically.

I don’t believe in being horribly strict with your children over screen time. But as a family, you should discuss a plan for screen time boundaries. Before you come up with this number, I would suggest that you dedicate two to three nights of deep research on “screen time and cognitive development.” What is an acceptable amount of time spent on screens? Are there certain apps that aren’t kid-friendly? Process this and ask questions in an open dialogue. Make notes so you can make an educated decision.

Here’s a summary of a study of my research:

Psychologists completed studies on children, ages 3 to 5, where the parents woke them up in the morning, got them ready, and then put on virtual reality headsets. Then the kids watched and learned on a device. The device exposed them to things far beyond what they would ever see in school, their backyard, or even the state.

Perhaps one thinks that the data will have positive, fantastic results on cognitive development. Unfortunately, after a couple of years, they found that those kids suffered from some serious symptoms instead. Not only did they have a poor physical stature, but they also suffered from stunted brain growth. Also, they dealt with serious cognitive development issues.

The only thing that experienced growth was their visual cortex inside their brains. Psychologists determined that this happened because they only saw these insane circumstances. Sadly, their brains turned off imagination. They no longer fully engaged mentally and physically with what they saw, as if it would have been a real experience.

This happens because our body has a built-in mechanism that follows the guidelines of use it or lose it. This study highlights this fact because while the kids saw these crazy things, that’s all they did. They didn’t actually engage with it or use their own imagination to figure it out. They simply watched it rather than engaging and creating. The children only activated the visual cortex. It grew while every other part of the brain experienced atrophy or was stunted at its original size.

I did this research because I did not want to present my cognitive bias. My first Google search was “Negative effects screen time can have on kids.” This is an overview from Google. All of the references are numbered and cited at the bottom.

Excessive screen time in kids can lead to various negative impacts, including attention problems, behavioral difficulties, sleep disruption, obesity, vision issues, and mental health concerns like anxiety and depression. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Here's a more detailed breakdown of the potential problems:

Behavioral and Mental Health Issues: [6, 7, 8]

• Reduced Attention Span & Focus: Constant screen stimulation can make it harder for children to focus and concentrate on tasks that require sustained attention. [6, 7, 8]
• Behavioral Problems: Excessive screen time may be linked to increased instances of behavioral problems, including hyperactivity, aggression, and difficulty controlling impulses. [4, 9, 10]
• Anxiety and Depression: Some studies suggest a correlation between high screen time and increased rates of anxiety and depression, particularly in adolescents. [3, 11, 12]
• Mood Disturbances: Unhealthy screen habits can lead to mood swings, irritability, and difficulties with emotional regulation. [1, 3]
• Reduced social skills: Children who spend too much time on screens may have less time for social interaction and may struggle to develop social skills [1, 13]

Physical Health Concerns: [14, 15, 16]

• Sleep Problems: Screens emit blue light, which can interfere with melatonin production, making it harder for children to fall asleep and stay asleep. [14, 15, 16]
• Obesity and Weight Gain: Screen time can displace physical activity, leading to a sedentary lifestyle and increased risk of obesity. [1, 17, 18, 19]
• Vision Problems: Prolonged screen time can strain the eyes, potentially leading to eye fatigue, dry eyes, and even nearsightedness. [2, 17, 20]
• Poor Posture: Spending long periods sitting in front of screens can contribute to poor posture and musculoskeletal problems. [21]
• Increased risk of obesity: Screen time can displace physical activity and lead to unhealthy eating habits, increasing the risk of obesity. [1, 22]

Development and Learning: [23]

• Developmental Delays: Excessive screen time in early childhood has been linked to potential developmental delays, especially in areas like communication and problem-solving. [23]
• Reduced Imagination and Creativity: Over-stimulation from screens can discourage children from using their imaginations and engaging in creative activities. [7]
• Lower School Performance: Screen time may detract from time spent on schoolwork and homework, potentially leading to lower grades and difficulties with academics. [1]
• Reduced physical activity: Screen time can replace time for outdoor play and physical activity, leading to a less active lifestyle. [1, 18]
• Loss of focus flexibility: Prolonged screen time can affect the brain's ability to adjust to different visual distances, which is necessary for everyday activities. [24]
• Exposure to Unwholesome Content: Children may be exposed to inappropriate content, including violence, pornography, or online predators, which can have harmful effects on their development. [17, 25]

We hold the knowledge, which means we have power. In the modern age, we can do our research and see why the overuse of screens can harm our children. Process this, and please create a plan..

After reading this research, we can see why we currently face a mental health crisis in our country. Also, more and more children find themselves diagnosed with autism, ADD, ADHD, bipolar disorder, or other personality disorders.

How can we live in a modern age with unlimited comforts and meet our basic needs, yet we are the unhappiest we’ve ever been? It scares me to think of all the individuals who believe they will not be successful because they have depression, anxiety, OCD, or ADHD. Perhaps some of their mental health struggles come from too much screen exposure. If brought to a doctor’s attention, the child receives a medication, but still deals with harmful screen exposure. The drugs that cure these symptoms can cause more harm to the individuals than the actual symptoms. Yet, we don’t hesitate to give them to our youth, not considering dependency as well as the health effects that could appear. This may even cause self-limiting beliefs in the child because the negative screen exposure continues.

Your Creator made you perfectly and blessed you with more power than you know. You can move forward in power by simply limiting your screen time and your child’s screen time. This will allow time to tap into a child’s true potential. This potential can’t come from a screen and/or social media. You can give the potential back to your child.

In conclusion, the decision is yours. You must choose an acceptable time limit for your kids to spend on devices. Do as much research as possible to make an educated decision that best supports your family. Limiting screen time also teaches your child self-control at an early age. Then they can practice self-control and screen time as adults. Self-control helps an individual become successful in life. Make a choice to aid in their potential.

[1] https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Children-And-Watching-TV-054.aspx
[2] https://www.medicinenet.com/what_too_much_screen_time_does_to_childs_brains/article.htm
[3] https://behavioral-innovations.com/blog/screentime-for-autistic-children-how-much-is-too-much/
[4] https://www.amazon.com.au/Impact-Social-Media-Screen-Youth-ebook/dp/B08Y8561R8
[5] https://cdikids.org/child-development/screen-time-affects-your-childs-development/
[6] https://www.onlymyhealth.com/effects-of-screen-time-on-mental-and-physical-health-of-children-1716977379
[7] https://www.compassfostering.com/advice/screen-time-and-child-development
[8] https://www.insightpsychological.ca/blog/archive/the-impacts-of-technology-on-children-and-their-mental-health/
[9] https://genomind.com/patients/parent-guide-tips-to-improve-focus-in-children/
[10] https://sensoryprocessingdisorderparentsupport.com/screen-time-and-sensory-processing-disorder/
[11] https://valleywisehealth.org/blog/negative-effect-of-screen-time-adults-children/
[12] https://www.understandsuicide.com/youth
[13] https://www.nurseryworld.co.uk/content/features/why-the-online-safety-bill-must-include-risks-to-youngest-children/
[14] https://zenimals.com/blogs/news/setting-limits-why-its-important-to-limit-screen-time-for-children
[15] https://www.footprintseducation.in/blog/harmful-side-effects-of-mobile-phones-on-children/
[16] https://redcliffelabs.com/myhealth/health/general-health/screen-time-and-children-its-effect-on-children-how-to-monitor-your-childs-screen-time/
[17] https://www.logiscool.com/en-vn/blog/education/educate-children-to-be-discerning-harmful-content
[18] https://www.uomus.edu.iq/En/EnNewCol.aspx?newid=64079
[19] https://www.innerbody.com/screen-time-advice-for-protecting-health
[20] https://www.mytribeinsurance.co.uk/treatment/keep-the-kids-healthy
[21] https://www.shdc.com.au/holistic-dentistry/screentime-overload-how-excessive-screentime-use-by-children-is-causing-postural-stress/
[22] https://choicesproject.org/publications/brief-reducing-st-boston/
[23] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BasSa4pJMj0
[24] https://www.quora.com/How-do-screens-cause-eye-damage
[25] https://neurohealthah.com/blog/understanding-the-negative-effects-of-screen-time-on-your-childs-mental-health/
[26] https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/children-teens-and-the-safety-of-psychotropic-medicines-2020080620715
[27]https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/teen-depression/in-depth/antidepressants/art-20047502
[28] https://news.mit.edu/2015/brain-strengthen-connections-between-neurons-1118