Screen time refers to the amount of time individuals spend on their mobile and other digital devices, such as phones, tablets, laptops, and televisions. These devices have become part of our daily routine, but spending excessive time on them can impact our health and overall well-being. In this article, we will be looking at initiatives to promote a balanced lifestyle while using these devices.

Students’ Health and Excessive Screen Time

Granted, all work and no play is a scenario that can be harmful for many students. Those learners who feel overwhelmed by the rigors of academic work and have a mountain of assignments and essays due can outsorce some of their writing to grabmyessay or another credible online writing provider. Such services can handle academic writing tasks with ease and professionalism. This will allow a busy student to rest while their assignments are being sorted. Then they would not have to strain themselves too much, which is unhealthy.

While recreational screen time is not harmful, researchers usually recommend watching television for no more than 2 hours daily. Some students, however, binge-watch an entire season of popular TV series while neglecting their studies. The extra hours are valuable time that can be spent on other, more productive activities like physical exercise and quality time with family and loved ones. This prolonged television viewing leads to a sedentary lifestyle, a primary cause of obesity.

Aside from physical health, prolonged screen time negatively impacts students’ mental health. They are constantly bombarded with larger-than-life digital personas, which they then compare themselves to. This leads them to crave a lifestyle far beyond their means. And when they cannot attain that lifestyle, stress and anxiety kick in.

Closely related to the above point is how too much time spent on digital devices also affects cognitive development. Whether through smartphones, tablets, or computers, undue exposure to screens impedes the development of needed cognitive skills like problem-solving, reading and critical thinking. The rapid information consumption inherent in screen usage limits students’ attention span and ability to focus on deep cognitive processes and top essay writing service reviews. Furthermore, blue light from digital screens can disrupt sleep patterns. Without sufficient sleep, students can’t focus while in class.

Educational Initiatives Promoting Digital Health

Here are five educational initiatives that would serve to promote digital health;

1. Digital health education curriculum. Incorporating digital health into the curriculum promotes digital health awareness. When students are taught the importance of striking a balance between screen time and other physical activities, they learn to use digital devices responsibly. Emphasizing self-care makes students know that their well-being is important and they should seek external support if things feel out of control. Through such teaching, students would be able to make informed decisions about their digital usage.

2. Screen time guidelines in school. Schools have the power and, indeed, the moral duty to establish evidence-backed guidelines on the amount of time students are allowed to use their digital devices while on the school’s premises. These guidelines may include limiting the time allowed to spend on screens during school hours and scheduling screen-free activities and breaks. Care should be taken to create a supportive and informed environment so that students do not feel unnecessarily policed but that these policies are for them to develop healthy digital habits.

3. Collaboration with parents and guardians. Parents have a role to play here since, outside of school, homes are where students spend most of their time. Schools can invite parents and guardians to workshops highlighting the importance of healthy digital habits for their wards. While some parents seem to be handling this very well, no less than 40% of American parents report not setting any limits on their children’s use of digital devices. Together, parents and guardians and the school authorities can establish guidelines for screen time, proper content, and even online safety.

4. Digital time trackers. Not all there is to do with digital devices is harmful, as some devices come with real-time screen-use tracking apps, providing users with data on the amount of time spent on such devices. With this, students can actually track their screen time habits. Additionally, there are customizable features that let the user limit screen time for specific features on the device. Students can then set boundaries and allocate time to more important activities like study and physical exercise.

5. Physical activities and the outdoors. Another effective educational initiative to reduce screen time is to encourage physical activity. Schools can provide opportunities for students to engage in active play, which will divert their minds from their screens. This can be through physical education classes, regular recess breaks, or field trips. The latter activity can give avenues for students to explore nature, develop social skills, and enhance creativity, all of which are integral to all-round development.

Path to Balanced Screen Time

Excessive screen time poses significant health risks and hampers cognitive development. The initiatives discussed are important steps that would address these risks and promote digital health. They empower students to make informed decisions about their digital usage and to prioritize their physical and mental well-being, thus fostering a balanced lifestyle.

Author’s Bio

Mark Wooten is an educational psychologist who focuses on technology and mental health. He has delivered dozens of lectures on the need to limit personal digital usage. When not writing, Mark enjoys quiet walks in the park.