If you’ve ever battled with your kids to limit their screen time to the recommended 1-2 hours per day, there’s good news: it doesn’t appear to be necessary.
A joint study between the Oxford Internet Institute and Cardiff University published in the journal Child Development found that there was ‘no consistent correlation’ between limiting screen time and a range of child well-being measures …
In fact, reports an Oxford University summary of the findings, children may be better off with more device time.
The team found no consistent correlations between either the 2010 or revised 2016 advised digital usage limits and young children’s wellbeing. While children aged two to five whose technology usage was limited in-line with AAP guidance showed slightly higher levels of resilience, this was balanced by lower levels of positive affect.
The study isn’t saying that no limits should be applied, but does conclude that existing guidelines are significantly out of date.
The key, it says, is what kids do with their devices.
If you’re a parent, do you set limits on screen-time for your kids? Please take our poll and share your experiences in the comments.
Via TNW. Photo: Reuters/Michael Kooren.
