Screen time increases the risk of illness

According to the American Heart Association, only 29% of American children and adolescents between the ages of 2 and 19 have optimal cardiometabolic health. This means that most people accumulate risks in childhood or adolescence that were previously considered a problem in adulthood.

A new study conducted in Denmark involving more than a thousand children and adolescents from two long-term cohorts showed a clear relationship: every additional hour of screen time was associated with an increase in cardiometabolic risk. In 10-year-olds, this corresponded to an increase in risk by 0.08 standard deviation, in 18—year-olds – by 0.13. That is, if a child spends, say, 3 hours more at the screen every day than his peers, then his risk increases by 25-40% compared to the average level in the group.

The study took into account not only the length of screen time, but also its connection with sleep. It turned out that children who sleep little suffer especially severely: short sleep duration and late falling asleep increased the negative impact of screens on their health. Approximately 12% of the effect of screen time on children’s health was explained precisely by lack of sleep.

Moreover, the analysis of metabolites in the blood allowed us to identify a unique biomarker — the so-called “metabolic fingerprint of screen time”, indicating real biochemical changes in the body caused by screen-related behavior. This fingerprint has been linked to potential long-term risks of cardiovascular disease, especially in adolescents.

The authors of the study emphasize that we are not talking about a complete abandonment of screens, especially in the modern digital world. But a reasonable restriction and a shift in focus to healthy daily habits, such as adequate sleep, physical activity, and daily routines, are extremely important. You can start with simple steps: move screen time to earlier hours and ensure a longer and better night’s sleep.

Pediatricians and parents can include discussions about screen habits in regular visits and consultations, just as nutrition and physical activity are already discussed. Personal behavior of adults is also important: children copy the models of using gadgets from their parents, so it is important to set an example — to put away phones at dinner, not to be distracted by the screen when communicating, to be able to relax and have fun without digital devices.

As noted by Dr. Amanda Perak from Northwestern University (USA), the ability to endure boredom and discomfort without resorting to gadgets is an essential skill. This creates psychological stability and promotes the development of creativity.

Although this study does not prove a cause-and-effect relationship, its results are of serious concern. They show that bad habits associated with the use of screens begin to affect health not sometime later, but already now — in childhood and adolescence. This is a reason to think about how we organize the life, leisure and sleep of our children — and what habits we broadcast ourselves.