Study: Negative Impact of Excessive Screen Time

Young people with a lot of screen time fare worse physically and mentally than peers with less screen time. This is shown by a study from the School of Health Sciences at Jönköping University. We need to tackle young people's screen time in different ways, says one of the researchers behind the study.

» Published: September 24 2024

Study: Negative Impact of Excessive Screen Time
Photo: Christine Olsson/TT

88 percent of 15-17-year-olds in the study have more screen time than the Public Health Agency's new recommendations. And the more screen time, the worse the well-being.

We have a more dependent generation. The negative impact is obvious. But it's not so easy to say that you can just take away screen time, says Amir Pakpour, professor of clinical science at the School of Health and Education at Jönköping University.

The study, which was conducted in collaboration with Region Jönköping County and is based on responses from 5,323 young people in 2023, shows, among other things, that those who have a lot of screen time sleep worse and feel more stressed than their peers who have less screen time.

Different help

Pakpour and Gunilla Björling, professor of health and care sciences, who is also behind the study, say that the impact of screens on young people's health is clear, but exactly how a solution can be designed for the individual is more difficult.

We need to tackle young people's screen time in different ways. We can't help those who play too much with the same tools as we need to help those who use social media too much, says Björling.

The existence or non-existence of screens in both school and leisure time has been a long and partly infected debate. When the Public Health Agency presented new guidelines for screen time in different ages at the beginning of the month, the agency received criticism for there being too little research support for the new guidelines.

Pakpour and Björling say that the causal link between screen use and poor well-being is difficult to establish based on the study and that more research is needed.

Not the only cause

They receive support from sociologist Henrik Pallin, who has written books about young people's internet use

We're not saying that a depressed person is dependent on their bed just because they spend most of their time there. We don't know how badly these young people would have felt without screens.

When it comes to accountability, both Pallin, as well as Pakpour and Björling, point to parents - but also other actors.

It's not possible to abdicate parental responsibility just by saying that Tiktok has made an algorithm that makes my child dependent on the screen, says Pallin.

Being involved as a parent is a major advantage. In that way, parents' role is more important than the school's, says Björling.

Lifestyle is shaped more at home, so parents have a greater challenge to make this work. But it's also everyone's responsibility. Tech companies have a social responsibility, they can't just create something that's addictive and then not take the consequences of it, says Pakpour.

The survey that the study is based on was conducted in the fall of 2023 and included 5,323 young people in the ages of 15-17 in Jönköping County.

In the group with a lot of screen time, more than the Public Health Agency's recommendations, the study shows that:

57 percent get less than eight hours of sleep.

27 percent sit for long periods without being physically active, so-called sedentary behavior.

46 percent have difficulty falling asleep.

39 percent exhibit impulsive behavior.

44 percent experience physical pain, such as headaches, back pain, and stomach pain.

13 percent show signs of gaming addiction.

51 percent feel stressed or upset.

18 percent feel mentally unwell.

Source: School of Health and Education at Jönköping University, Region Jönköping County.

The Public Health Agency's new recommendations for screen time for children and young people:

0-2-year-olds: Ideally no screen time at all.

2-5-year-olds: Maximum 1 hour.

6-12-year-olds: Maximum 1-2 hours.

13-18-year-olds: Maximum 2-3 hours.

+ The recommendations concern leisure-time use, such as social media, video clips, movies, TV, and computer games.

+ However, music listening, podcasts, e-books, and school-related screen use are not included in the time limits.

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Swedish Journalist Joakim Medin Moved
1 MIN READ

Swedish Journalist Joakim Medin Moved to High-Security Turkish Prison

SMHI Warns of High Grass
1 MIN READ

SMHI Warns of High Grass Fire Risk in Sweden's Snow-Free Regions

Swedish Journalist Joakim Medin Arrested
1 MIN READ

Swedish Journalist Joakim Medin Arrested in Turkey, Press Freedom at Risk

Man in His 30s Found
1 MIN READ

Man in His 30s Found Dead Outdoors in Norrköping; Murder Investigation Launched

Police Car and Fire Truck
1 MIN READ

Police Car and Fire Truck Crash on E4 Injures Officers

Sweden Prioritizes Journalist's Release After
2 MIN READ

Sweden Prioritizes Journalist's Release After Arrest in Turkey

Europol Looks to Sweden for
2 MIN READ

Europol Looks to Sweden for Tackling Digital Gang Crime

Woman Dies After Clothes Catch
1 MIN READ

Woman Dies After Clothes Catch Fire in Strömstad Residence

Spring Warmth to Sweep Sweden
1 MIN READ

Spring Warmth to Sweep Sweden with Temperatures Over 20 Degrees

Prehistoric Wasp Used Plant-Like Trap
3 MIN READ

Prehistoric Wasp Used Plant-Like Trap to Capture Prey, Study Reveals

Turkey Accuses Swedish Journalist of
3 MIN READ

Turkey Accuses Swedish Journalist of Terrorism and Anti-Turkish Reporting

Elderly Woman Airlifted After Clothes
1 MIN READ

Elderly Woman Airlifted After Clothes Catch Fire at Swedish Hospital

Swedes Struggle as Food Prices
4 MIN READ

Swedes Struggle as Food Prices Soar: 200 Kronor Gift Cards Run Out

Police Push for Expanded Surveillance
3 MIN READ

Police Push for Expanded Surveillance Powers on Minors in Sweden

Siblings in Sweden Marvel at
1 MIN READ

Siblings in Sweden Marvel at Rare Solar Eclipse with Welding Masks

Swedish Journalist Joakim Medin Expected
2 MIN READ

Swedish Journalist Joakim Medin Expected to Be Released Soon in Turkey

Police Struggle to Keep Up
3 MIN READ

Police Struggle to Keep Up as Online Radicalization Surges

Witness the Partial Solar Eclipse
3 MIN READ

Witness the Partial Solar Eclipse on March 29: How to Safely Watch

Body Discovered After Gislaved Apartment
1 MIN READ

Body Discovered After Gislaved Apartment Fire; Police Investigate

Swedish Journalist Joakim Medin Arrested
2 MIN READ

Swedish Journalist Joakim Medin Arrested in Turkey Without Charge Details

Teen Convicted in Skärholmen Tunnel
1 MIN READ

Teen Convicted in Skärholmen Tunnel Murder Appeals 14-Year Sentence

Key Figures Depart Following Millennium
1 MIN READ

Key Figures Depart Following Millennium System Halt in Västra Götaland

Teen Arrested After Man Shot
1 MIN READ

Teen Arrested After Man Shot in Gothenburg Residential Area

Two Arrested After Gunfire Hits
1 MIN READ

Two Arrested After Gunfire Hits Apartments in Arlöv Near Malmö

Genre image
1 MIN READ

Five Hospitalized Following Serious Car Crash Near Surahammar

Sweden Sets Clocks Forward for
1 MIN READ

Sweden Sets Clocks Forward for Summertime Transition

Man in His 70s Dies
1 MIN READ

Man in His 70s Dies in Drowning Accident in Jämtland

Facebook Revives Friend Feed to
1 MIN READ

Facebook Revives Friend Feed to Reconnect Users

Sweden Redirects 158 Million Kronor
1 MIN READ

Sweden Redirects 158 Million Kronor Aid to Myanmar Earthquake Relief

Fegen Residents Advised to Boil
1 MIN READ

Fegen Residents Advised to Boil Water Due to Waterworks Issue

Swedish Journalist's Arrest in Turkey
2 MIN READ

Swedish Journalist's Arrest in Turkey Sparks Global Outcry

EU License Changes May Impact
4 MIN READ

EU License Changes May Impact Swedish A-Tractor Rules for Teens

Swedish Journalist Joakim Medin Detained
3 MIN READ

Swedish Journalist Joakim Medin Detained in Turkey

Sixth Suspect Linked to December
1 MIN READ

Sixth Suspect Linked to December Murder in Växjö

Swedish Foreign Minister Deeply Moved
1 MIN READ

Swedish Foreign Minister Deeply Moved by Southeast Asia Earthquake

Man in Custody After Shooting
1 MIN READ

Man in Custody After Shooting at Police in Karlshamn

Swedish IS Terrorist Osama Krayem
1 MIN READ

Swedish IS Terrorist Osama Krayem Detained for Serious War Crimes

25 Charged in Sweden for
2 MIN READ

25 Charged in Sweden for Defrauding Elderly of Millions

Swedish Court to Decide on
2 MIN READ

Swedish Court to Decide on Alleged Birth Intervention Without Consent

18-Year-Old Faces Charges for Nine
1 MIN READ

18-Year-Old Faces Charges for Nine Attempted Murders in Malmö