Excessive screen time has been shown to have negative effects on children and adolescents. It's been linked to psychological problems, such as higher rates of depression and anxiety, as well as health issues like poor sleep and higher rates of obesity.
Vision experts generally don't consider screens as a source of permanent vision damage, even if extended use can cause eye irritation. If you only look at screens for a few hours a day and don't experience any vision issues, you probably do not need to worry.
So how much screen time is too much? And (maybe most important) — how do we scale back? "Most experts agree that adults should limit screen time to less than two hours per day outside of work-related activities," Dr. Moghaddam says.
It's depend on your usage and if you are moderate user then it last more than 12 hours and if you are heavy user then it last less than 7 or 8 hour.
Excessive screen time has been shown to have negative effects on children and adolescents. It's been linked to psychological problems, such as higher rates of depression and anxiety, as well as health issues like poor sleep and higher rates of obesity.
The average American spends 7 hours looking at a screen each day. According to data from DataReportal, the average American spends 6 hours and 59 minutes looking at a screen every day. This is slightly above average and over 1 hour longer than the British who average 5 hours and 47 minutes of screen time per day.
Recommended time limits
Under 2 years old: Zero screen time, except for video chatting with family or friends. 2-5 years old: No more than one hour per day co-viewing with a parent or sibling. 5-17 years old: Generally no more than two hours per day, except for homework.
And teenagers are no exception. They're spending more time on screens than ever before. Which begs the question, how much is too much? The recommendation: According to the 24-Hour Movement Guidelines, teens should only get two hours of recreational screen time a day.
According to the latest available data, teenagers spend 7 hours 22 minutes per day in front of screens. That equates to 43% of a teen's waking hours. By comparison, that's 24 minutes more than the global average of 6 hours 58 minutes.
When you stare at a screen for hours on end, you're not only straining your eyes, but also you might then trigger pain in other areas of the body as result. As previously discussed, your eyes have to work harder to focus on screens, which can cause eye strain.
Most optometrists have heard of the 20-20-20 Rule for preventing and relieving digital eye strain. The catchphrase suggests taking a 20 second break every 20 minutes by looking 20 feet away.
If you stare at a computer monitor or cellphone too long and then experience temporary blurry vision, it's likely because the moisture layer on the front surface of your eye is getting dry. "If that tear film is not smooth and even, and of the right quality and quantity, vision does tend to be compromised.
What's a healthy amount of screen time for adults? Experts say adults should limit screen time outside of work to less than two hours per day. Any time beyond that which you would typically spend on screens should instead be spent participating in physical activity.
For years, the American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended no more than two hours of screen time for children and teenagers, and absolutely no screen time for children under 2.
As a general guideline, Dr. Eagar advises not allowing single dating before age sixteen. “There's an enormous difference between a fourteen- or fifteen-year- old and a sixteen- or seventeen-year-old in terms of life experience,” he says.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that parents of kids and teens 5 to 18 years old place consistent limits on the use of any media. This includes entertainment media (like watching TV and movies), as well as educational media (like creating flash cards on a smartphone app).
"Screen time" is a term used for activities done in front of a screen, such as watching TV, working on a computer, or playing video games. Screen time is sedentary activity, meaning you are being physically inactive while sitting down. Very little energy is used during screen time.
But some studies link higher levels of screen time to increased symptoms of depression. Many other factors also play a role in depression. Other studies have shown that excessive screen time may lead some teens to neglect responsibilities, use screens to deal with stress, and feel anxious without a device.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends avoiding screens for children younger than 18 to 24 months, except when video chatting with family. The AAP also recommends limiting screen use for preschool children, ages 2 to 5, to just one hour a day of high-quality programming (think Sesame Street or PBS).
When you set limits and restrict the use of technology you will strengthen your child's desire for it. When it's restricted your child is more likely to binge, hyper-focus, get anxious or sneak time when you're not watching.
Screen time statistics
This forms part of the wider picture of device use—a 2021 article from Australia's Tech Guide website claims that the average Australian spends 5.5 hours a day on their smartphone; however, this figure is based on the entire cross-section of society, including the silent generation.
Looking at screens for extended periods of time can also harm your child's eyes. Some kids may experience digital eye strain, dry eyes and other irritations. Recent studies have also revealed that screen time may put your child at risk for developing myopia (nearsightedness).
Of the 45 nations we looked at, residents of South Africa have the highest screen time of any nation, using almost three-fifths (58.2%) of their time awake using the computer or a smartphone.
The average American spends 7 hours and 4 minutes looking at a screen each day. South Africans spend 10 hours and 46 minutes on screen per day. Almost half (49%) of 0 to 2-year-olds interact with smartphones. Gen Z averages around 9 hours of screen time per day.