TDNet Discover

Screen time across all age groups in the United States on average exceeds 10 hours per day. Screen time has increased over the last 12 years with many advances in technology. It is clear there are many adverse effects from too much screen time, such as cardiovascular disease and obesity. There has also been an increase in mental health issues over the last 10 years that seems to correlate with these advances in technology. The objective of the study was to determine if there is a strong enough exposure response relationship between screen time and depression, anxiety, or suicide in children aged 618 to warrant implementing and publicizing more specific time regulations in the form of formal guidelines. To conduct the evidence-based medicine systematic review, multiple databases were searched including PubMed, Cochrane Library and Medline EBSCOHost. A variety of search terms such as "screen time effects on mental health", “((screen time) AND (anxiety)) AND (adolescent)”, “screen time and depression in adolescence”, “((screen time) AND (effects)) AND (adolescents)” were utilized. The following limits were used: published in the last 10 years, systematic review, meta-analysis, randomized controlled trial, journal article, full-text, human research, English language, female, male, and age 0 to 18. A quality assessment and data extraction were used to analyze and choose three articles. Three articles were included in this study: a systematic review, a meta analysis, and a cross sectional study. Each study found an increase in mental health diagnoses with the increase in screen time equal to or greater than 2 hours. Screen time does have its benefits, however only in small quantities. The data supports recommendations for limiting screen time in those ages 6-18 years old.