Impact of Screen Time on Adolescents

As a college student, it is essential to recognize the impact of screen time on adolescents in today's technological world. While it is important to acknowledge the benefits of technology in education and entertainment, it is crucial to also consider the potential negative effects of excessive screen time on teenagers' overall well-being (Ashton and Beattie).

Teenagers are often immersed in various forms of screen entertainment, ranging from social media to video games. While these activities can be enjoyable and engaging, they should not replace essential activities such as sleeping, eating, exercising, studying, and spending time with loved ones. It is vital for parents to monitor and regulate their children's screen time to ensure a healthy balance (Schoeppe et al.).

Furthermore, limiting screen time can have a positive impact on teenagers' social skills and real-life experiences. Children learn best through direct interactions with others, and excessive screen time can hinder the development of essential communication skills (Straker et al.). By reducing screen time, young individuals have the opportunity to explore new hobbies and activities that can enhance their real-life skills and experiences (Horowitz‐Kraus and Hutton).

In addition, inadequate sleep due to excessive screen time can have detrimental effects on teenagers' mental and physical health (Domingues‐Montanari). Poor sleep patterns can lead to difficulties in concentration, behavior, and overall well-being (Pérez-Farinós et al.). Therefore, it is crucial for parents to prioritize sleep and establish healthy bedtime routines for their children.

In conclusion, it is important to strike a balance between screen time and real-life experiences for teenagers. Screen time should not be a substitute for essential activities such as sleeping, eating, studying, and socializing. By monitoring and regulating screen time, parents can help their children develop healthy habits and skills that will benefit them in the long run.

Works Cited:

• Ashton, James J., and R. Mark Beattie. “Screen time in children and adolescents: is there evidence to guide parents and policy?.” The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health 3.5 (2019): 292-294.
• Domingues‐Montanari, Sophie. “Clinical and psychological effects of excessive screen time on children.” Journal of pediatrics and child health 53.4 (2017): 333-338.
• Horowitz‐Kraus, Tzipi, and John S. Hutton. “Brain connectivity in children is increased by the time they spend reading books and decrease by the length of exposure to screen‐based media.” Acta pediatrics 107.4 (2018): 685-693.
• Pérez-Farinós, N., Villar-Villalba, C., Sobaler, A. M. L., Saavedra, M. Á. D. R., Aparicio, A., Sanz, S. S., Anta, R. M. O. “The relationship between hours of sleep, screen time and frequency of food and drink consumption in Spain in the 2011 and 2013 ALADINO: a cross-sectional study.” BMC public health 17.1 (2017): 1-12.
• Schoeppe, S., Vandelanotte, C., Bere, E., Lien, N., Verloigne, M., Kovacs, E., Van Lippevelde, W. “The influence of parental modeling on children’s physical activity and screen time: does it differ by gender?.” The European Journal of Public Health 27.1 (2017): 152-157.
• Straker, L., Zabatiero, J., Danby, S., Thorpe, K., Edwards, S. “Conflicting guidelines on young children’s screen time and use of digital technology create policy and practice dilemmas.” The Journal of pediatrics 202 (2018): 300-303.