It’s dinnertime, and you’re calling the kids to the table. There’s no response. You walk into the living room and find them sitting on the couch, completely absorbed in their tablet, scrolling, gaming, or watching videos. Maybe it’s not an unusual sight; it has become a routine for many households. But then you notice something else: they get cranky when you advise that it’s time to stop, they’re less interested in talking about their day, and generally very reluctant to spend time outdoors.
These aren’t just passing concerns. As parents, caregivers, and teachers we are witnessing a significant change in how children grow up. A generation ago, a “playdate” meant riding bikes or building cubby houses out of tables covered in blankets. Today, it might mean meeting up in Minecraft or FaceTiming while watching TikTok videos. While technology has brought incredible opportunities for learning and connection, it’s also raised serious concerns about our children’s mental well-being.
What is it Replacing?
The reality is, every second focused on a screen is a second that could be used in other ways. The Displacement Hypothesis is one of the most convincing frameworks for explaining the effects of screen time. This theory proposes that the negative effects of too much screen time are not only related to children’s online activities, but also it’s about what they’re not doing while they’re glued to their devices.
Think of a child’s day as a finite resource, similar to a pie chart. Every hour spent scrolling through social media or playing video games is an hour not spent on activities essential for healthy growth and development. As screen time increases, the time available for other activities decreases. This displacement can have a domino effect, hindering the holistic development essential for mental well-being.
Real-World Examples
- Gaming and Physical Health: Playing video games for three hours can prevent a child from engaging in important outdoor activities, which can result in decreased physical health and higher chances of becoming obese.
- Social Media and Emotional Development: Prolonged use of social media can take the place spent in face-to-face interactions, essential for learning empathy and building meaningful relationships.
The Impact of Excessive Screen Time on Children’s Mental Health
Physical Health Consequences
Excessive screen time has been linked to:
- Sleep Problems: Exposure to blue light interferes with sleep cycles, causing lack of adequate rest and exacerbates mood disorders.
- Obesity: Sedentary behaviours increase of gaining weight, leading to potential long-term health issues.
- Brain Development: Emerging research suggests that excessive screen exposure may alter brain structure, particularly in regions responsible for attention and impulse control.
Social and Emotional Challenges
Screens can reduce chances for real social interaction, leading to:
- Loneliness: Virtual connections often lack the depth of real-life relationships.
- Impoverished conversational skills: Excessive screen use can interfere with a child’s ability to develop conversational skills by limiting their opportunities for face-to-face interactions. When children spend significant time on screens—whether engaging with social media, video games, or online content—they miss out on practising the give-and-take of real-life conversations, such as reading body language, understanding social cues, and managing the natural flow of dialogue.
- Bullying: Social media platforms can expose children to cyberbullying, which significantly impacts self-esteem and mental health.
Psychological Effects
Heavy screen use is linked to higher rates of:
- Anxiety and Depression: With decreased real face-to-face interactions/opportunities, children may feel unsure or overwhelmed when navigating real-world interactions (what to do or say to the person in front of them), leading to heightened social anxiety. The inability to effectively communicate or interpret social dynamics can make even simple exchanges feel daunting, further reinforcing avoidance behaviours and deepening their anxiety. Not to mention, leading to feelings of inadequacy.
- Addiction: Many apps and games are designed to be addictive, encouraging compulsive behaviours.
Australia’s Proposed Social Media Ban for Under 16 year old
The concern over excessive screen time and its potential effects on mental health has prompted global discussions. Recently, Australia has proposed a groundbreaking measure: banning social media use for children under 16. This measure aims to protect young people from the adverse effects of early exposure to digital platforms, such as cyberbullying, exposure to harmful content, and addiction. While this idea has sparked heated debates, it highlights the growing recognition of how screens impact the mental and emotional well-being of children.
The Rationale Behind the Ban
Proponents argue that children lack the emotional and cognitive maturity to navigate the complexities of social media. For example:
- Preventing Harmful Content: Platforms often expose children to inappropriate material, including misinformation and harmful body image ideals.
- Reducing Predatory Risks: Tragically, recent cases like 12yr old Charlotte 0’Brien or Carly Ryan’s in 2007 underscore the dangers of online predators/cyberbullying.
Controversies and Concerns
While the ban has garnered significant political and public support, it faces criticism on several fronts:
- Privacy Concerns: Implementing the age restriction would require robust verification systems, potentially infringing on users’ privacy.
- Practicality: Critics, including young digital innovators like Leo Puglisi, argue that such a ban merely postpones exposure to social media, rather than addressing its risks effectively.
- Community Impact: Social media is deeply integrated into modern social and cultural contexts, and banning it could alienate children from their peers.
Interestingly, I recently had a conversation with my 23-year-old son and his friends about the proposed ban, and to my surprise, they were all in favour of it! They shared that they hadn’t started using social media until they were around 16 years old (which for my son was true) and, in hindsight, felt they were emotionally mature enough by then to handle most of the challenges that come with navigating the online world.
Striking a Balance: Supporting Children Thrive in a Digital Age
While the ban represents one approach, parents and caregivers play a critical role in guiding children to establish healthy screen habits. Here are some practical strategies for managing screen time more effectively and support improved mental and physical well-being:
1. Set Boundaries
Establish screen time limits based on age and developmental needs. Australian health guidelines recommend:
- Children under 2 years should have no screen time, except for video chatting.
- Children aged 2 to 5 years should be limited to less than one hour per day.
- Children and young people aged 5 to 17 years should have no more than two hours of recreational screen time daily, not including schoolwork.
2. Promote Alternative Activities
Encourage children to engage in:
- Creative Hobbies: Like art, music (playing an instrument, singing / performing), and crafting sparks imagination and lessens dependence on technology screens.
- Physical Play: Outdoor activities improve physical health and boost mood through increased endorphin levels.
3. Model Healthy Behaviour
Kids often imitate grown-ups. Reflect on what you are doing. Are you consistently checking your phone for Facebook/Instagram/Snapchat messages, posts? Or looking at TikTok? Children will and do model their behaviour from their care-givers. Setting a good example can be achieved by balancing screen time and emphasising real-life connections. Spend more time engaged in playing/interacting with your child/teen in board games, shooting hoops outside, playing with the family pet together, preparing meals together, kicking a ball at local park, going to the beach, etc.
4. Teach Digital Literacy
Equip children with critical thinking skills to navigate online content safely and responsibly. Encourage them to question sources; help your child understand the difference between facts, opinions, and advertisements; encourage healthy scepticism (both in terms of, is this a ‘real’ person I am talking to?, is the information being shared really true?); and discuss Digital Etiquette; This includes identifying misinformation and managing online interactions.
5. Foster Open Communication
Create a safe space for children to openly talk about their online encounters, including any challenges they may face on social media.
Looking Forward
As we grapple with the impact of screen time on children’s mental and physical health, it’s clear that we need a multi-faceted approach. While measures like Australia’s proposed ban represent one potential solution, the most effective approach likely lies in combining reasonable restrictions with education, support, and alternative activities.
The Displacement Hypothesis serves as a reminder that the challenge isn’t just about limiting screen time completely —it’s about providing children with a range of enriching experiences that support their healthy development. Whether through policy changes or community efforts, the healthy focus requires creating an environment where children can thrive both online and offline.
