Is television or screen addiction real?
This is a complicated, hotly debated question.
Clearly, today’s children are far surpassing the recommended limits.
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Today, nearly 90% of high schoolers and over 50% of 11-year-olds are smartphone owners as well.
After TV, the most frequent electronic activities among teens are gaming and social media.
This adds up to over 5.5 hours total and nearly 3 hours a day watching content.
These people use television watching to distract themselves from negative moods, worries and fears, and boredom.
Regardless, there is a vast agreement that chronic TV watching and screen overuse is a problem.
But does TV itself cause a shorter lifespan?
Parents can also model good screentime self-control by limiting their own use.
Cognitive behavioral therapy may also help for those who feel they need more intensive help.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
Luckily, screens don’t have to take over and control our lives.
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