Statewide Iowa (RI) – Many studies indicate excess screen time can impact a child’s brain development, even leading to behavioral issues, depression and anxiety, but a new study finds too much screen time can also hurt the heart. Dr. Erin Davis, a pediatric cardiologist, says the report published in the Journal of the American Heart Association is especially alarming.
More children are spending more time on their screens at school and at home, for education and recreation, so Davis says it’s no surprise the negative health effects are becoming more severe in kids.
Parents need to take an active role in monitoring their child’s screen time, and she says they need to walk the walk, leading by example.
In addition to demonstrating healthy screen use, Davis says parents need to help their kids understand when to put the devices away, how to use them wisely, and how to avoid multitasking.
Davis says studies from the American Academy of Pediatrics suggest children two years and under have -no- screen time, while older kids be limited to one or two hours a day.
