A new study found that limiting kids’ screen time to just three hours a week led to big improvements in their mental health and behavior. And the turn-around happened in just two weeks. The three-hour limit was just on leisure screen time – not on screen time for schoolwork. The distinction is important because it showed the effects of screen time for entertainment purposes specifically. Typically, kids spend seven to eight hours per day on screens for entertainment alone, not including time spent on screens for school.
According to the researchers, the biggest improvements were seen in relationships with their peers and being considerate and helpful to others. These findings suggest that decreasing screen time could help kids manage their emotions more effectively and improve their social interactions.