Screen Time vs Green Time

Screen Time

In an ever-changing, rapidly developing technological society our children are exposed to screen time
at a younger age and for increased periods of time. Whilst it is understood that screen time can no
longer be confined to purely recreational use, it still needs to be monitored closely. Screen time (ST)
refers to “time spent engaging with visual screen-based technologies such as televisions,
computers/laptops, videogames, smartphones, tablets/iPads, and handheld electronic or gaming
devices.” 1 Recent statistics show that on average South Africans (children and adults included) spend
up to 10 hours a day on screen time. 2 Alarmingly it also notes that 49% of children between the ages
of 0-2 already have access to and interact with smartphones 2.

Below is a table indicating the proportion of time children spend on different technologies.

INSERT TABLE

Whilst some time spent on screens can be beneficial for younger children, including the ability to
engage with new people, allow for identity exploration, and provide them with information about the
the world around them as well as aid them in scholastic tasks needs to be closely monitored.

Excessive screen time has been shown to have the following negative effects:

• Sleep disturbances
• Poor in-person social interactions
• Aggressive emotional outbursts
• Poor attention and concentration
• Decrease in physical activity.
• Poor reciprocal language development

Green Time

In contrast, green time can be described as time spent in natural environments and exposure to
natural content. For example, spending time outdoors engaging with the environment through
exploration. Time spent outdoors has been shown to have a positive impact on children’s physical
activity as well as their social connections. Furthermore, exposure to sunlight has been linked to
improved sleeping patterns and mood.

Tips and Tricks to Decrease Screen Time and Increase Green Time 3

1. Watch and engage in screen time WITH your child – By engaging in co-watching you are
   able to assist your child in understanding what they are seeing, allow them to ask questions
   and engage in conversation regarding what it is they are watching.
2. Choose screen time wisely – Ensure the apps/games and tv shows your kids are watching
   is age appropriate?
3. Bedtime, mealtime, and family time should be kept screen free – Allowing these times of
   the day to be screen-free allows your child the opportunity to engage in meaningful face-to-face
   interaction and build interpersonal social skills. Furthermore, this will allow more opportunity
   for outdoor play and exploration when it is engaged as a family.
4. Emphasise sleep, healthy diet, and exercise – These three concepts are key components to a
   healthy childhood and promote optimal brain development. Excess screen time will
   negatively affect all 3 of these components.
   

References

1. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0237725
2. https://explodingtopics.com/blog/screen-time-stats
3. https://healthmatters.nyp.org/what-does-too-much-screen-time-do-to-childrens-
   brains/#:~:text=Excessive%20screen%20time%20may%20inhibit,be%20detrimental%20to%20ov
   erall%20development.