Children's Health and Screen Time

This Research Topic seeks to explore the complex and multifaceted impacts of prolonged screen time on the health and well-being of children and adolescents. With the rapid proliferation of digital devices, there is growing concern about the adverse effects of extended screen time, including reduced physical activity, higher obesity rates, diminished real-world social interactions, lower academic performance, and a decline in book-reading. Additionally, increased screen time has been linked to various mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, and negative body image.

The aim of this Research Topic is to provide a comprehensive and multidisciplinary examination of how digital consumption influences physical, mental, and social health in young children and adolescents. Special emphasis is placed on understanding the specific harm caused by different types of on-screen activities, whether on smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, TVs, or personal computers. This Research Topic also seeks to compare the negative effects of different screen-based activities, explore best parental practices to mitigate these effects, and discuss potential preventive measures at the family, school, and governmental levels.

Given the exacerbation of these issues during the COVID-19 pandemic, when remote learning and limited outdoor activities led to increased screen time, this Research Topic is particularly timely. We invite original research, critical reviews, and policy-related articles that contribute to understanding and addressing this pressing public health concern.

Keywords: Screen time, Screen Time and Mental Health, Physical Activity vs. Screen Time, Parental Guidance and Screen Time, Educational Outcomes and Screen ExposureHealth Impacts of Digital Device Use

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.