Screen-based behaviour in children is more than meets the eye

South African Family Practice

Verusia Chetty¹  Suvira Ramlall²  Alvin J. Munsamy³ 

[1] Department of Physiotherapy, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban;Department of Psychiatry, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban;Discipline of Optometry, School of Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban;

关键词: sedentary screen-based behavior;    screen time;    children;    vision;    physical health;    mental well-being;   

DOI  :  10.4102/safp.v64i1.5374

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Increased screen time (ST) in children is quickly becoming a public health concern as children are now reliant on technology for social interaction and educational development. The eye-health community has paid considerable attention to this in the recent literature, documenting it as digital eye strain. Continual close eye work and a lack of outdoor play contribute to digital eye strain and today’s myopia epidemic. This is a cause for concern for public health stakeholders insofar as it leads to sedentary, screen-based behaviour (SSB) in children. This results in a lack of physical activity and impacts both their bodies and their mental health. The potentially harmful effects of prolonged screen exposure on developing brains and bodies are likely to be unique and significant as physiological growth changes intersect with exponentially expanding e-platforms. While embracing the benefits of a highly digitalised world, we need to simultaneously mitigate the potential risks they pose to the health of growing children.

【 授权许可】

Unknown