Screen Time For Teens

Four-hour computer time is beneficial for teenagers, researchers have claimed.

16:22 16 January 2017

A little over four hours of screen time can be good for teenagers’ brains, a new research from the University of Oxford have found.

 

Researchers claimed that spending 257 minutes on different digital activities provides teenagers enough time to develop social connections and skills. It is only after that point that devices begin to cripple their brains.

 

Lead author Andrew Przybylski, a psychological scientist, said: 'Our findings suggest that adolescents' moderate screen use has no detectable link to well-being and levels of engagement above these points are modestly correlated with well-being,'

 

'When we looked at the existing literature as scientists, and parents, we saw an area rich in opinions but short on evidence.

 

'We were surprised how poorly linked the literature was to the advice provided to caregivers and educators.'

 

The study analysed the data that measured the screen time and well-being of 120,115 teenagers. The participants were asked to provide the amount of time they spend using gadgets including computers, TV, and smartphones. Their mental well-being was then assessed using a well-established self-report.

 

Analysing the data, researchers found that moderate digital engagement is unlikely to pose any risk to teen’s well-being. They added that even at high levels of engagement, the risks, if there are any, are likely to be minimal.