We’re all familiar with a green ‘G’ or a red ‘MA’ on a movie poster, but those ratings don’t have any basis in what we know about child development. They’d be much more useful for parents if they did.
While working from home can have advantages, new research shows that there can also be a wide range of negative effects, including psychological reactions such as emotional exhaustion.
Factors such as having supportive family and friends, safer communities, positive school environments and adequate resources, are often associated with more physical activity.
Findings from a Victorian coroner’s report remind us we still don’t fully understand how problematic gaming ties into other factors in a person’s life.
Increased digital screen use, face masks and winter weather combine to form a triple threat to eye health: The dry eye triad. Here’s how to combat the resulting eye fatigue, irritation and discomfort.
Tim Olds, University of South Australia; Carol Maher, University of South Australia, dan Verity Booth, University of South Australia
Studies have shown a drop in physical activity for kids during lockdowns, which could impact their long term health. But their mums are getting more active.
Too much screen time doesn’t leave enough time for other important parts of growing up. Predicting which little kids will likely grow into heavy tech users could help target educational campaigns.
Some health products haven’t been tested for the benefits that they claim to produce. Blue-light blocking lenses are promoted as helping sleep cycles, but there is no evidence to support this.
Yalda T. Uhls, University of California, Los Angeles
Understanding others’ emotions is a crucial social skill. Counter to concerns about screen time stunting kids’ development, one study suggests they’re getting better at recognizing emotion on screen.
As the pandemic moves us indoors, it’s time to reconsider our understanding of ‘screen time’ – especially since we’re relying on our devices now more than ever.
Families may want to relax some of their usual rules for digital media use due to social distancing. But keeping bedtime screen-free still makes sense.
Professor, Canada Research Chair in Determinants of Child Development, Owerko Centre at the Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary