Mental health issues such as anxiety and reduced attention spans among children under the ages of 10 and l6 has been linked to increased number of hours they spent on screen.
Also, disrupted sleep patterns due to late-night screen exposure is said to be responsible for decreased levels of physical activity, contributing to sedentary lifestyles.
These were contained in a recent report conducted by the Market Trend International (MTI), a market research agency which tagged “average daily screen time for children under 16 in 2024”
According to the report, children under 16 spend an average of 4.5 hours daily on screens, encompassing activities like gaming, online learning, and social media.
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“Children under 16 spend an average of 4.5 hours daily on screens, encompassing activities like gaming, online learning, and social media.
“This represents a 25 percent increase compared to 2020, driven by the proliferation of affordable smartphones, digital learning platforms, and streaming services.
“Children aged 13–15 spend the most time on screens, averaging 6 hours daily, while those under 10 spend around 3 hours, mostly on educational content.
“Urban children spend nearly 30 percent more time on screens than their rural counterparts due to better access to digital devices and internet connectivity,” it stated.
Experts in the report therefore, recommended balanced routines and parental controls to mitigate risks while harnessing the benefits of digital access for learning and creativity.
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