For: Nathan Drennan

Screen time is a big issue that is affecting kids. Many kids, and even adults, spend a large amount of their time on a device. This is one of the reasons why kids need a time limit on their devices.

The average screen time for teens ages 11 to 14 is nine hours, and for ages 15 to 18 it is seven and a half hours. For kids ages eight to ten, the average screen time is about six hours. A professional states, “For children ages 2 to 5 years old, limit screen time to one hour per day of high quality programming. For children 6 years or older, it is important to limit the amount of screen time to two hours or less per day,” according to Danielle Grant, MD.

From this information, you can see that it is easy for kids to become addicted to screens, especially during the summer. However, there are many negative effects that can come from this, such as eye strain, back problems, anxiety, and depression. Dr. Grant explains that other physical impacts include neck strain, eye strain, and back pain from sitting for long periods of time. Reduced physical activity can also lead to obesity. Mental health effects can include sleep problems and an increased risk of anxiety and depression. There can also be an impact on attention, focus, and executive functioning.

A good example of this is a parent who said, “My 10 year old daughter is addicted to screens and was grounded. She searched the house for her computer, visibly shaking, and said, ‘If you just let me play Sims for a few minutes, I will do the kitty litter.’”

Some people say kids need online skills for future jobs or that they have friends online, which is very common. I am not denying that these things exist. However, these experiences should happen when people are older rather than when they are very young.

There are also many risks online, such as scams, viruses, and spyware. While there are good things like making friends, playing games, and watching shows, it is still important to limit screen time. No one needs to spend the entire day looking at a screen, especially when it can hurt their eyes and overall health.

Against: Even Henderson

Kids are being prepared for a world that no longer exists. Limiting the tools that define today’s world may actually hurt our future. If we limit screen time, kids may never develop the digital skills they need.

For many children, the internet is where their friends are and where they connect the most with people. About 61 percent of boys and 52 percent of girls have made friends online. Research also explains that digital media shares many of the same characteristics as traditional environments that support positive youth development. Young people can build social emotional skills and relationships online.

For some people, the internet is the only place where they can connect and interact with others. Preventing someone from connecting with others simply because it happens online can cause more harm than good.

In a study from 2023, it was found that 92 percent of jobs require digital skills, yet about one third of workers do not have the foundational digital skills needed to qualify for these jobs. If children are not allowed to use devices and build these skills early, it could limit their opportunities in the future. Holding children back from learning these important skills until they are older may make it harder for them to succeed.

Some people argue that spending time on devices prevents kids from developing social skills, but for many children that is not true. Many use apps like FaceTime to talk to friends and family. These apps allow them to practice face to face communication and help them interpret nonverbal cues such as facial expressions and body language.

Another reason screen time should not be limited is that not all screen time is negative. For some kids, much of their screen time is spent developing skills or working on hobbies. For example, 69 percent of 15 year olds reported creating or editing their own digital content. Spending time editing videos or creating digital art can be productive and creative. Many people assume that all screen time is harmful, but in many cases it can help people learn and grow.

If we stop kids from learning essential digital skills, it will not only hurt them but also the communities and workplaces that rely on those skills in the future.