It’s hardly shocking that teen screen time has surged in the past two years since the pandemic reshaped our lives. A recent report from Common Sense Media reveals that young people are spending significantly more time glued to their phones, TVs, computers, and tablets compared to pre-pandemic days. Any parent can attest to this shift. Navigating adolescence is challenging enough without the added stress of a global health crisis. When COVID-19 emerged in March 2020, families found themselves in prolonged isolation, and it’s no wonder that teens, whose social lives were heavily curtailed, sought refuge in screens for interaction and escapism.
Fast forward two years, and while life has somewhat normalized, the habits formed during lockdowns are proving hard to shake. The report indicates that overall screen time for tweens and teens has increased by nearly 20%. To put this into perspective, tweens now average 5.5 hours of screen use daily, while teens clock in at around 8.5 hours. There’s no reason for parents to feel guilty about these statistics; after all, the past two years have been incredibly tough, especially for working families. However, it’s crucial to delve into the data’s specifics, which reveal significant disparities linked to gender, socioeconomic status, and race.
Researchers surveyed 1,306 tweens (ages 8 to 12) and teens (ages 13 to 18) in 2021 and discovered that boys typically spend more time online than girls, with Black and Hispanic/Latino children engaging with screens more than their white peers. Additionally, children from middle-income ($35,000 to $99,000 annually) and low-income households (under $35,000) reported higher screen usage than those from wealthier families. One reason for these disparities may be that higher-income households can provide more supervision and resources such as childcare, tutors, and other enriching activities, which were limited during the pandemic.
Understanding how class, race, and gender influence screen time is essential. It’s also vital to recognize the pandemic’s lasting effects on media consumption and reflect on the specific content our children are accessing. Michael Robb, senior director of research at Common Sense Media, emphasizes the importance of thoughtful media choices and the need for more research on how extensive media use affects children’s development. He also highlights the necessity for tech companies to ensure that their platforms are safe and suitable for young users.
When it comes to what children are watching, TV and videos dominate their screen time, followed by gaming and internet browsing. Although social media usage is minimal among tweens, it rises to an average of 90 minutes daily for teens. Robb warns about the trend of younger children engaging with social media, as these platforms aren’t designed with their needs in mind. Parents must plan ways to guide their children in these adult-oriented spaces.
While excessive screen time is commonly viewed as detrimental, it’s also become an integral part of life, especially during the past two challenging years. Alongside efforts to reduce overall screen time, it’s equally important to monitor the nature of content children consume and advocate for a safer online environment. Adults are also spending more time in front of screens; studies show that many logged over 17 hours daily during lockdowns, juggling work, social media, and streaming services. Therefore, it’s crucial not only to evaluate screen time limits for kids but also for ourselves. For further insights, check out this other blog post.
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In summary, the pandemic has led to a significant increase in screen time among teens and tweens, highlighting disparities based on gender, race, and socioeconomic status. Understanding the content consumed is crucial as we navigate this digital landscape, aiming for safer online environments for our children.