School District of Oakfield

Notes from Mrs. Klassy

MS/HS Principal

The Effects of Screen Time on Teens

There are various adverse effects of teens spending too much time on electronic devices. We see more and more how too much screen time effects both the social/emotional and physical well being of our children. As we head into the summer months when teens have more unstructured time, please consider the following factors when determining what limits you put on the screen time of your kids.

• Weight Gain

  • Obviously, sitting in front of a screen means that children are not outside being active

  • Teens tend to eat as they watch TV, especially late into the night

• Lack of Sleep

  • An article in the Huffington Post states that only 20% of teens report getting the recommended nine hours of sleep at night and 40% say that they get less than eight

  • Devices in the bedroom continue to wake up the brain during the night

  • Lack of sleep affects memory, which in turn affects school work

• Changes in Emotional State

  • Children are more impulsive, moody, and can’t pay attention

  • Social media issues also elevate the number of psychological problems in teens

• Other Physical Issues

  • Sore upper back and neck due to being hunched over devices

  • Suffering wrists and fingers

  • Developing nearsightedness over time

  • Hearing loss over time

Please take these factors into consideration as you work with your family to set boundaries and limits for your children. It will only benefit them in the long run.

References:

5 Truths About Teens and Screens. WebMD. http://fit.webmd.com/teen/recharge/article/teens-screen-time?page=2

Gray Matters: Too Much Screen Time Damages the Brain. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/mental-wealth/201402/gray-matters-too-much-screen-time-damages-the-brain

Here's What A Constantly Plugged-In Life Is Doing To Kid[…]The Huffington Post. http://www.huff ingtonpost.com/2013/10/17/teens-on-screens_n_4101758.html

Most teens think they can multitask while getting screen tim[…] PBS http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/teens-think-can-multitask-getting-screen-time-cant/

Carmen Klassy

Principal

Oakfield High School

cklassy@oakfield.k12.wi.us

920-583-3141