Does Screen Time Need to Be a Vital Sign?
Screen time, devices and a child’s mind
by Dr Cheryl Wilson RACGP, FALSM, BMBS, Dip SIM, B.Sc.
As a GP, it’s not uncommon that a child’s device use has become problematic when they have presented with fatigue, lack of or difficulty sleeping, weight gain, and mood or behavior changes. It’s become such a part of daily life that it starts to sneak into our lives more and more. This is true for Adults and children.
As Children are growing their bodies and brains, they are learning how to learn, learning how to communicate and interact socially. Digital overuse can interfere with these critical childhood milestones.
So, how much is too much? I wanted to find out. We recognise that there are positives to the internet and digital devices but how familiar are we with the insidious, potentially problematic side of digital use?
What counts as devices?
Phones, tablets, computers, TVs, and video game consoles like the Switch all contribute to “screen time” – the total time spent across any screen-based device.
According to the Australian Institute of Family Studies:
- TV is still the primary form of screen time – 60% of total screen use in children.
- By 13, the average child watches 150 minutes of TV per day, compared to 60 minutes on a computer and 45 minutes gaming.
- One in five 6–7-year-olds have a TV in their bedroom – rising to nearly half by age 13.
- Boys game more than girls – 85% of 12-13-year-old boys play for at least an hour on weekends vs. 58% of girls.
How Screen Time Affects Children
Cognitive Development:
Too much screen time may negatively affect attention, memory and problem-solving – skills typically developed through real-world play and exploration.
Language:
Excessive use may delay speech and language development, reducing face-to-face communication with caregivers.
Social and Emotional Skills:
Screens limit social interaction, reducing empathy and the ability to read social cues.
Physical Health:
Long screen sessions mean less movement, increasing the risk of obesity and poor physical fitness.
Sleep and Focus:
Blue light exposure and stimulating content can disrupt sleep. Overstimulation also impacts a child’s ability to focus.
According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, excessive screen time exposes children to:
- Violence and risky behaviour
- Sexual content and substance use
- Cyberbullying and predators
- Targeted advertising and misinformation
Children learn through role modelling – what exactly are they learning online?
Common Outcomes of Excessive Screen Time
- Poor sleep from overstimulation and light exposure
- Obesity, due to inactivity and snacking while watching
- Myopia (nearsightedness), which is on the rise
- Learning delays, especially in language and social development
- Behavioural issues, from aggression to mimicry of on-screen violence
- Risky behaviours, like sexting and substance experimentation
- Cyberbullying, which harms both victim and perpetrator
- Problematic internet use and digital addiction, particularly among gamers
Excessive screen time also crowds out important activities – reading, outdoor play, family time and relaxation.
What the Research Says:
A 2024 WHO study of 280,000 adolescents found:
- 11% showed signs of problematic social media use (higher in girls).
- 22% of teens gamed for 4+ hours on gaming days.
- 12% were at risk of problematic gaming.
Problematic social media use is linked to poor mental wellbeing, increased substance use, and disrupted sleep. Gaming addiction is associated with aggression, reduced empathy, and academic decline.
In one study, more 2-5-year-olds could navigate apps than tie their shoelaces or ride a bike.
Another found that overuse causes physiological stress responses – faster heart rate, shallow breathing, hyper-alertness.
Effects by Age
- 0-5 years: Strong evidence of harm to motor, cognitive, and emotional development.
- 5-17 years: Associated with anxiety, self-esteem issues, depression, and poor diet.
Guidelines by Age
Experts including the WHO and American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry recommend:
- Under 18 months: No screens (except video chatting with an adult).
- 18-24 months: Minimal use, only co-viewing educational content.
- 2-5 years: Max 1 hour/day.
- 6-10 years: Max 1.5 hours/day.
- 11-13 years: Max 2 hours/day.
General tips:
- No screens during meals or outings.
- Avoid using screens to pacify.
- Remove screens from bedrooms.
- Turn off screens an hour before bedtime.
- Use parental controls and co-view when possible.
Yet, most Australian children exceed these limits. Only 17-23% of preschoolers and 15% of children aged 5-12 meet the recommended guidelines.
Signs of Digital Overuse
- Constant use at the expense of other activities
- Withdrawal from friends, family or hobbies
- Sleep disruption or tiredness
- Irritability or tantrums when devices are taken away
- Declining school performance
- Unsafe behaviours like chatting with strangers
- Preference for socialising online
What Can We Do?
Screens are here to stay. The goal isn’t to eliminate them – but to use them wisely.
Start with a screen-time plan. Let children help shape the rules. Here are a few key strategies:
- Model good habits: Kids mirror their parents.
- Set boundaries: Use timers, routines, and agreed screen limits.
- Choose quality content: Encourage creativity and learning over passive watching.
- Encourage outdoor play: Movement, especially outdoors, supports development.
- Keep tech out of bedrooms. Avoid screens before bed to support healthy sleep.
- Teach safety: Talk openly about online risks and privacy.
Co-participation is powerful – watching and discussing content together supports learning and builds trust.
Questions to Ask as a Family
- How will technology be used – games, educational apps, or videos?
- When is it allowed – after homework, before dinner?
- Where is it used – only in shared spaces?
What are your tech-free times = meals, holidays, weekends? - What are the consequences when rules are broken?
Revisit these rules regularly as your child grows or when new devices enter the home.
Screen transitions can be tricky – prepare your child ahead of time, offer reminders, and help them stop at natural breaks (like the end of a level or episode).
Encourage Other Interests
- Get kids moving – indoors or out.
- Make time for creative play – drawing, storytelling, music.
- Support friendship and face-to-face play to build empathy and social skills.
- Replace screen time with family games, puzzles, podcasts, or reading.
Create a Family Media Use Plan
The American Academy of Pediatrics offers a helpful tool: Family Media Use Plan
Also visit: Raising Children Network for Australian-specific tips by age.
Summary
- Screen time affects cognitive, social, physical, and emotional development.
- Overuse is linked to sleep issues, obesity, behavioural problems, and digital addiction.
- Guidelines exist for healthy use by age – but most children exceed them.
- Warning signs of overuse include social withdrawal, poor sleep, and school difficulties.
- Families can help with structured plans, clear rules, role modelling, and prioritising real-world connections.
This article provides a summary of Screen Time and Children’s Development: A Health Professional’s Guide. For the complete guide, click on the link below.
- Australian Broadcasting Corporation. (2012). Video games as addictive as gambling: study. https://www.abc.net.au
- Australian Institute of Family Studies. (n.d.). Screen time and children. https://aifs.gov.au
- Farber, N., Berzonsky, M., & Rowan, C. (2012). Children, technology, problems, and preferences. Journal of Child and Adolescent Behaviour, 1(2), 45–52.
- Gentile, D. A. (2012). Video game playing, attention problems, and impulsiveness: Evidence of bidirectional causality. Psychology of Popular Media Culture, 1(1), 62–70. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0026969
- HealthyChildren.org. (n.d.). Family media use plan. American Academy of Pediatrics. https://www.healthychildren.org
- King, D. L., Delfabbro, P. H., & Griffiths, M. D. (2012). Clinical interventions for technology-based problems: Excessive Internet and video game use. Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy, 26(1), 43–56. https://doi.org/10.1891/0889-8391.26.1.43
- Rowan, C. (2010). Virtual child: The terrifying truth about what technology is doing to children. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.
- Sydney Morning Herald. (n.d.). Study: More kids can use a tablet than tie their shoes. https://www.smh.com.au
- World Health Organization. (2024). Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study: International report. https://www.who.int
This article has been written for the Australasian Society of Lifestyle Medicine (ASLM) by the documented original author. The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the original author and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of the ASLM or its Board.
Dr Cheryl Wilson
Dr Cheryl Wilson is a GP who owns Living Well in the Riverland. She specialises in lifestyle medicine hypnosis sports injuries and musculoskeletal medicine. Dr Wilson is passionate about empowering individuals to make gradual lifestyle changes that positively impact their health. Dr Wilson believes in no interference and appropriate supply of goodness for optimal health.