Daily Screen Use Raises Kids’ Health Risks
New research shows that each extra hour children spend on screens may raise their risk of future heart problems. Too much sitting, poor sleep, and unhealthy snacking during screen use can add up over time.
Health-Kids-(Special / Web Desk) – A new study is raising fresh concerns about how much time kids spend in front of screens. Researchers say too much screen time can raise the risk of heart disease and diabetes in children.
Even one extra hour a day on phones, tablets, or TVs may significantly increase the chance of developing serious health problems later in life, according to the study.
The research was published Wednesday in the Journal of the American Heart Association. It was carried out by scientists at the University of Copenhagen, who studied over 1,000 children aged 10 to 18.
They looked at how long kids used screens and how well they slept. The goal was to see how screen habits affect health risks like high blood pressure, insulin resistance, and cholesterol.
Every Hour Adds to Health Risks
Lead researcher David Horner explained that the more time a child spends on screens, the higher their health risks become.
“A child using screens three extra hours a day has a much higher chance of facing heart-related health problems compared to others,” he said. “When this happens across millions of kids, it becomes a big public health issue.”
In simple terms: more screen time means a higher chance of developing health problems like heart disease or Type 2 diabetes later in life.
What This Means for Parents and Policymakers
While experts don’t all agree on how harmful screen time is in the long run, more research is showing that children may be more at risk than adults.
The study is expected to spark discussion among public health experts and school leaders, especially as kids rely more on screens for both learning and fun.
Researchers say it’s important for families to find a healthy balance between screen time and physical activity—especially since lifestyle-related diseases are showing up earlier than ever.
Don’t Forget About Sleep
The study also looked at sleep and found that screen use often leads to poor sleep. Kids who use screens a lot—especially at night—tend to sleep less or sleep poorly.
Bad sleep adds to the problem. When kids don’t move much during the day and don’t sleep well at night, their risk of heart and health problems increases.`
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What Parents Can Do
Experts suggest these simple steps to help protect children’s health:
- Keep screen time under two hours a day (outside of schoolwork)
- Make time for walking, biking, or playing sports
- Build a regular sleep routine
- Turn off screens at least an hour before bedtime
A Global Problem with Local Impact
Kids all over the world, including in countries like Pakistan, are spending more time on screens. This puts them at risk for the same health problems.
In cities across South Asia, more children are using phones and TVs for fun. Experts say now is the time for awareness campaigns and programs to teach families about safe screen habits.
Early action can help prevent serious health issues in the future.
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