The negative consequences of high screen consumption by children have been studied by science on numerous occasions. But research analyzing the impact on kids is much scarcer. That is why a new study, published a few days ago, is gaining ground, which concludes that in teen age – around the age of 13 – watching screens more than three and a half hours a day can cause cognitive impairment in the language and memory of facing the future.

The research has been published in the journal Scientific Reports and has been conducted by experts from University College London. The researchers recorded television hours consumed daily by more than 3,500 people while measuring their reasoning and thinking skills in 2008 and 2009 and six years later, in 2014 and 2015. In this period of time, people watching 3.5 hours of television every day, they experienced a more significant decrease in verbal memory regardless of their physical condition or social stratum. According to experts, the study concluded that kids who watched less than 3.5 hours of television a day experienced a decrease in verbal memory of about 4 to 5 percent over the next six years. In contrast, those who watched television for more than 3.5 hours experienced a decrease of 8 to 10 percent.

This cognitive impairment is related to the speed with which changes in images and sounds occur on television. The fact that the brain receives these stimuli passively without interacting causes it to be in a state of continuous alert but at the same time much more passive.

This is certainly an interesting study because, nowadays, watching television is not limited to sitting in front of the TV, but is transferred to the laptops, tablets and mobile phones that we always have on hand and that we watch continuously throughout the day.

The results of the study, according to experts, raise other interesting issues that will be addressed in the new research. For example, do different types of television content have the same effect on cognitive impairment or not? Is television a specific risk factor for the onset of dementia?

In the study, it is also recommended to perform other types of activities to counteract the effects of television, such as puzzles, logic and memory games and the practice of physical activity, which has great benefits for the brain.

Use parental app to limit kids’ screen exposure

To help kids have better cognition and good health, parents are needed to take appropriate steps such as using the parental app. If you don’t know, parental apps are a handy solution to curd screen abuse. In fact, some advanced apps, such as FamilyTime app, allows parents to manage what their kids can watch on their digital devices. The app offers:

• Inbuilt screen locks

• TimeBank feature that allows kids to manage their own screen time

• FunTime feature to help kids make proper use of the screen time

• Automated phone lock/unlock

• Customizable times

• Multiple schedules for different ages

• One dashboard to handle all kids

It works for all Android, iOS, and Kindle devices. It also has online monitoring and filtering features. To see how these features work and how useful this app can be for you and your kids, give it a try for free. You can get the trial version of the app from the app store on your phone. Just go to Google Play Store or iTunes on your phone and install the app from there.

Don’t let screen ruin your kids’ wellbeing!

Being parents, it is our duty to take care of our kids’ wellbeing be it related to their physical health or about their mental development. So, use parental app and take all the necessary steps in time to save your kids from the hazards of excessive screen time. Happy parenting!