It is generally accepted that eight hours of screen time per day is far too much, especially for children and adolescents. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends limiting screen time to one or two hours per day for children under the age of two, and two to three hours per day for children aged three to eighteen.
Excessive screen time can negatively impact physical, mental, and social development. Physically, it can lead to fatigue, eye strain, headaches, and poor posture. Mentally, it can lead to anxiety, problems with concentration and attention, and difficulty regulating emotions. Socially, it can lead to social isolation, a decrease in face-to-face interactions, and difficulty developing meaningful relationships.
In addition, excessive screen time can lead to unhealthy habits such as a sedentary lifestyle, a decrease in sleep quality, and an increase in unhealthy snacking. It can also lead to an increase in exposure to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, and online predators.
For these reasons, it is important to monitor and limit screen time for yourself and your children. This can be done by establishing rules and limits for yourself and your children, and setting a good example by reducing your own screen time. Additionally, it is important to engage in activities that do not involve screens, such as reading, playing sports, or spending time outdoors.