How Media Use Can Affect Kids

By helping kids build healthy habits when using media, it can help them learn and grow. Preschoolers can practice letters and numbers. Grade-schoolers can explore topics like science, history, and art. Teens can connect with friends and discover new skills.

But sometimes screentime can affect kids' physical health, behavior, and schoolwork. Knowing the possible negative effects can help you make smart choices for your child.

Extra Weight

Kids who spend a lot of time on screens tend to sit a lot and be less active. This makes them more likely to gain too much weight and have other health problems like high blood sugar and high cholesterol. Screen time can also lead to extra snacking — often on the unhealthy choices that are being advertised.

Studies show that when kids watch less TV, they gain less weight and have a lower body mass index (BMI).

So, set limits on screen time. Also, try to find a sport your child likes or other ways to get moving.

Vision Problems

Looking at close-up screens for long periods strains the eyes. More screen time and less time spent outdoors and looking at things in the distance increases the chance of nearsightedness (myopia) — a vision problem that makes it hard to see distant objects clearly.

Encourage your child to spend some time outside every day.

Risky Behaviors

Programs, movies, and video games often show risky behaviors — like drinking alcohol, using drugs, and smoking — as cool, fun, or exciting. Online, kids may see friends and influencers doing those unsafe actions and others, like extreme dieting and dangerous challenges. All this could tempt your child to try them.

Algorithms (AL-guh-ri-thumz), formulas that help decide what content people see online, can show kids more of the same kind of risky content, even if they click or watch it once. Research also shows that teens who see sexual content tend to start sexual activity earlier.

Have regular, honest talks with your child about why certain behaviors are risky. This can help them make good decisions.

Violence & Aggression

Kids see violent content on many platforms, like TV, streaming services, video games, and social media. Research shows that kids and teens who watch violent media tend to be more aggressive. While movies and TV have fake violence, social media often shows the real thing, which can be especially confusing and upsetting for kids.

Feeling Scared

Kids who view violence on screen are also more likely to fear that the world is scary and that something bad will happen to them.

Young kids are easily frightened by violent images. They may have behavior problems, nightmares, and trouble sleeping. Because they don’t yet understand what’s real, telling them that violence is fake won't help.

Older kids can be scared by violent images too. Talking with kids this age can help them, so try to comfort them and explain what they see. It’s even better to try to have both young and older kids avoid scary content in the first place.

Sleep, Mental Health, & Focus

Less Rest

Screens in bedrooms can disrupt kids' sleep, leading to less rest and poor quality sleep. The light from screens confuses the brain into thinking it's time to wake up instead of fall asleep. Exciting content can also make it harder to wind down, and notifications can wake kids up during the night.

Store all devices in your bedroom (or another common area that kids can’t get to easily) overnight to charge. This way, your child won’t be tempted to use them late at night.

Social Media & Poor Mental Health

Social media can have a big impact on kids mental health. Kids who passively scroll (only look at feeds, compare themselves to others, or count likes) are more likely to develop depression, low self-esteem, and anxiety. Algorithms can make negative feelings worse by showing kids more unhealthy content.

Cyberbullying is another danger of social media. It’s linked to poor mental health, including depression and, in serious cases, suicidal thoughts.

Kids who use social media to actively connect (like messaging friends, creating content, and joining communities around shared interests) tend to do better than kids who tend to scroll passively.

What You Can Do

• Use parent-control tools or programs to limit and monitor media use.
• Set a good example and use your own device less often, mainly when you're with your child.
• Encourage your child to have a variety of free-time activities, like spending time with family and friends, being part of clubs, and playing sports.
• Talk with your child and watch for signs of struggle, like being upset or withdrawn after being on social media.

Trouble Focusing

Kids who spend too much time in front of screens often do less well in school and are less able to focus on tasks. Switching back and forth between social media apps and homework can make it especially hard to pay attention and learn.

To help your child stay focused, have a quiet, well-lit place to study that’s free of devices. If kids need to use a device for homework, set parental controls to disable games and certain apps until they’re finished.

Ads & Influencers

Young kids don’t know that commercials and pop-up ads (like during video games) are selling a product. It’s also hard for them to know the difference between a show and an ad. In fact, it can be tough for older kids and even adults to separate content from ads. Many posts and videos are actually ads by influencers who are paid to promote products. It’s all a sneaky plan to get people to buy stuff.

Help Kids Understand Advertising

Explain that ads are designed to make people want things they probably don't need and believe the products will make them happier.

You can teach kids to be smart consumers with these tips:

• Watch together and point out ads and sponsored content. Teach kids to look for labels like, “ad,” “paid partnership,” and “sponsored.”
• Choose ad-free subscriptions when possible.
• Ask questions like, “What do you like about the product?” or “Do you think that person was paid to say that?”

What Else Should I Know?

You play an important role in building healthy media habits for your child. Talk about what your child watches and plays. Also, choose quality content that encourages learning and creativity rather than apps, games, and videos that are made just to keep kids watching.

These online resources also can help:

• American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) offers a Family Media Plan tool that lets you set household rules for media as a family.
• Common Sense Media provides parent-friendly reviews and age guidance for shows, movies, video games, and apps.

If you're concerned how media use is affecting your child’s sleep, mood, attention, or development, talk with your doctor.