Does screen time cause sleep problems children?

Child using phone in bed - does screen time cause sleep problems?

Research indicates that screen time can cause sleep problems for children. Exposure to artificial light at night is part of the trouble, but so is the sleep-disturbing nature of electronic content. And individual differences mean that some children are affected more than others. Read more about the risk factors, and the steps you can take to minimize sleep disruption.

Calming with electronic media: Does screen time cause tantrums?

father holds distressed infant while both look at a TV screen

When we rely on electronic media to calm kids down, our children may fail to learn crucial lessons about self-regulation. They may also develop symptoms of dependency…throwing severe tantrums when we take their media away.

The effects of television on speech development: Is it helpful or harmful?

toddler watching television

Studies report a link between TV and language development in young children. The more time kids spend watching television, the more slowly they learn to talk. What’s going on? Some people conclude that the effects of television on children are direct and negative. According to this view, television is noxious, like cigarette smoke. Cigarettes damage … Continue reading

The sexualization of girls: How the popular culture harms our kids

© 2010-2019 Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reserved What do psychologists mean by the ” sexualization of girls? “ According to the American Psychological Association, sexualization occurs when “individuals are regarded as sex objects and evaluated in terms of their physical characteristics and sexiness.” That isn’t something that children should ever have to contend with. … Continue reading

The effects of video games on school achievement

three boys relaxing on couch, playing video games on handheld devices

What are the effects of video games on school achievement? Studies hint that certain types of frequent gaming can reduce a student’s performance in reading. But video games are linked with positive effects, too.

Television violence: Do kids like it? Do adults like it?

toddler child distressed by television program

Studies suggest that both children and adults are happier when they reduce exposure to violent television content. Media creators serve up lots of television violence, and there’s reason for concern. Exposure to media violence may cause sleep problems in young children. It also puts kids at higher risk for developing behavior problems. Defenders argue that … Continue reading

The effects of video games: A guide for the science-minded

© 2010 – 2014, Gwen Dewar, all rights reserved What are the effects of video games? Video games are highly interactive and adaptive, and often induce a sense of psychological “flow” in players — that sense of effortless concentration that makes time fly. Such features make for compelling entertainment, and promising educational applications. But they … Continue reading

Beneficial effects of video games: Do action video games sharpen spatial skills?

two girls playing video games intensely on a couch, while boy watches

Assessing the beneficial effects of video games Some parents worry about video games, and their worries aren’t unwarranted. Video games can be engrossing, so much so that kids neglect other activities, like school work, chores, exercise, and sleep. There is also experimental evidence that playing violent video games has an immediate, negative influence on our … Continue reading

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