Research Study on Screen Time and Green Time in Children
Mental Health Issues in Canadian Children
A recent study has explored the relationship between screen time and green time, focusing on their effects on children’s psychological outcomes. In Canada, approximately 1.2 million children under 18 are affected by mental health issues, a trend that is escalating globally. Childhood experiences of depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges can lead to significant problems in adulthood, with around 7.5 million Canadians—about one in five—experiencing mental health issues by age 25.
Screen Time: A Growing Concern
The prevalence of screen-based technology in educational settings and homes means that screen time has become a normal part of children’s lives. In contrast, children today spend considerably less time outdoors compared to previous generations. This trend is particularly evident among children in high-income countries. For instance, research indicates that 12-year-olds in the United States spend fewer than six hours outdoors each week, while those aged 11-14 can spend up to nine hours a day on screens.
Studies have shown that excessive screen time may negatively impact children’s mental health by diminishing activities that promote well-being, such as physical exercise, social interaction, quality sleep, and academic engagement.
The Role of Green Time
Researchers from the University of Adelaide have highlighted the potential effects of high screen time combined with low green time on children’s mental health. Unlike previous studies that typically examined these factors separately, this research evaluated their combined impact on psychological outcomes. Published in the open-access journal PLOS ONE, the study analyzed 186 studies, with a significant portion conducted in Europe and the United States.
The findings suggest that high levels of screen time correlate with unfavorable psychological outcomes, while increased green time is linked to positive mental health effects. However, the researchers noted that the interplay between screen time and green time—where screen time is viewed as detrimental and green time as protective—has often been overlooked.
Implications for Public Health and Education
The evidence indicates that enhancing green time could serve as a protective factor against the negative consequences of high screen time. This insight suggests a potential strategy for educators and public health officials to support children’s psychological well-being in a technology-driven era. Further investment in longitudinal studies is necessary to determine whether reducing screen time and increasing green time can lead to improvements in mental health outcomes for children.
References
EurekAlert!. 2020. How Screen Time And Green Time May Affect Youth Psychological Outcomes. [online] Available at: [Accessed 15 September 2020].
Mentalhealthcommission.ca. 2020. Children And Youth | Mental Health Commission Of Canada. [online] Available at: [Accessed 15 September 2020].
Oswald, T., Rumbold, A., Kedzior, S. and Moore, V., 2020. Psychological impacts of “screen time” and “green time” for children and adolescents: A systematic scoping review. PLOS ONE, 15(9), p.e0237725.
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