Are There Really Any Positives to Screen Time?
Research by Xioran Sun, an assistant professor at the University of Minnesota, found that the type of content consumed on screens matters more than the amount of screen time, with educational content and social connections being potential positives. Social psychologist Jonathan Haidt advises parents to set strict guidelines around children's screen time, recommending no smartphones before high school and no social media before 16.
Xioran Sun, an assistant professor at the University of Minnesota, is researching screen time. She found that apps like TikTok, Snapchat, and X tend to create body image issues in users, while social media usage among adolescents led to problems with attention spans. However, educational screen time, such as podcasts or videos about what children are learning in school, can be beneficial. Using tech for social connections, like FaceTime or phone calls with friends, can also boost mental health. Sun emphasizes that the timing and type of content consumed are crucial. Social psychologist Jonathan Haidt advises parents to set strict guidelines, recommending no smartphones before high school and no social media before 16, to avoid 'foundational harms' such as social deprivation and addiction.
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