INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Image copyrightGetty ImagesParents should worry less about how much time their children spend using screens, paediatricians have said.The
first UK guidance on screen use for children says there is little evidence that it is harmful in itself.But experts say it is important that
use of devices does not replace healthy activities, such as sleep, exercising and time with family
The guidance avoids setting screen time limits, but does recommend not using them in hour before bedtime.It was informed by a review of
evidence published at same time, and follows a debate around whether youngsters should have time on devices restricted.'Great way to
explore'The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), which has produced guidance for under-18s, said there was no good
evidence that time in front of a screen is "toxic" to health, as is sometimes claimed.While there are associations between higher screen use
and obesity and depression, college said it was not clear if this link was causal.The college said it was not setting time limits for
children because there was not enough evidence that screen time was harmful to child health at any age.Instead, it has published a series of
questions to help families make decisions about their screen time use:Is your family's screen time under controlDoes screen use interfere
with what your family want to doDoes screen use interfere with sleepAre you able to control snacking during screen timeDr Max Davie, officer
for health promotion for RCPCH, said phones, computers and tablets were a "great way to explore world", but parents were often made to feel
that there was something "indefinably wrong" about them.He said: "We want to cut through that and say 'actually if you're doing OK and
you've answered these questions of yourselves and you're happy, get on and live your life and stop worrying'."But if there are problems and
you're having difficulties, screen time can be a contributing factor."The recommendation that children should not use devices in hour before
bedtime comes because of evidence that they can harm sleep.The devices stimulate brain, and blue light produced by them can disrupt body's
secretion of sleep hormone melatonin.While there are night modes on many phones, computers and tablets, there is no evidence these are
effective, college said.Overall, it found effect of screen time on children's health was small when considered next to other factors like
sleep, physical activity, eating, bullying and poverty.It said there was a lack of evidence that screen time is beneficial for health or
wellbeing.Image copyrightGetty ImagesIts guidance recommends that families negotiate screen time limits with their children based on
individual needs and how much it impacts on sleep, as well as physical and social activities
For infants and younger children, this will involve parents deciding what content they watch and for how long they use devices.As children
get older, there should be a move towards them having autonomy over screen use, but this should be gradual and under guidance of an adult,
college said.Dr Davie added: "When it comes to screen time I think it is important to encourage parents to do what is right by their family
"However, we know this is a grey area and parents want support, and that's why we have produced this guide
"We suggest that age-appropriate boundaries are established, negotiated by parent and child, that everyone in family understands."Tips for
parents:Image copyrightGetty ImagesImage caption
Mealtimes can be good for screen-free zones
Mealtimes
can be good opportunities for screen-free zonesIf children's screen time use seems out of control, parents should consider
interveningParents should think about their own screen use, including whether they use devices unconsciously too oftenYounger children need
face to face social interaction and screens are no substitute for thisSource: RCPCHMeanwhile, a separate study has found that girls are
twice as likely to show signs of depressive symptoms linked to social media use at age 14 compared with boys.The research, by experts at
University College London and published in EClinicalMedicine, involved nearly 11,000 young people answering questionnaires on their social
media use, online harassment, sleep patterns, self-esteem and body image.Experts not involved in study said it added to existing evidence
that heavy social media use may be harmful for mental health.But they called for more research to better understand if it causes depression,
or if depressive people are more likely to use social media excessively.The review of evidence on screen time is published in BMJ Open
