A recent study, published in the New Zealand Journal of Physiotherapy, sheds light on the potential risks posed to the health and wellbeing of young individuals due to frequent and prolonged engagement with digital technologies. Led by Julie Cullen, a pediatric physiotherapist and student at Auckland University of Technology (AUT), the study emphasizes the need for a nuanced understanding of the impact of digital device usage on children and adolescents.
Cullen underscores that while digital technologies offer numerous benefits, their overuse can lead to adverse health outcomes among the youth. The study found that negative impacts were commonly observed with daily usage ranging from 2 to 6 hours. Given the alarming rates of screen time among young New Zealanders, it becomes imperative to cultivate healthier screen habits.
According to OECD data from 2018, youth in New Zealand spend an average of 42 hours per week on digital devices, surpassing the global average of 35 hours. This trend is exacerbated by the widespread integration of digital technologies in both educational and recreational settings, outpacing the development of adequate policies and guidelines to regulate their use.
In educational environments, New Zealand students exhibit significantly higher screen usage compared to global norms, with some of the highest rates of digital device utilization in schools worldwide. Despite the prevalent notion that the quality of screen time matters more than quantity, the study suggests that prolonged usage across various activities, such as gaming, social media engagement, or academic tasks, poses similar health risks.
The study highlights a range of health concerns associated with excessive digital technology use, including dry eye disease, myopia, noise-induced hearing loss, and pain syndromes. These risks have garnered increasing attention, prompting calls for concerted efforts to mitigate the adverse effects of technology overuse.
Notably, the study emphasizes that the quality and nature of screen media may exert a greater influence on mental health, wellbeing, and cognitive development, particularly depending on the age and developmental stage of the individual. This nuanced understanding underscores the complexity of addressing the multifaceted impacts of digital technology on youth.
To comprehensively address these challenges, the research team conducted a narrative review with a systematic search strategy, providing a holistic overview of the impacts on various aspects of health and wellbeing. Drawing upon evidence-based insights, the study offers practical recommendations for clinicians, educators, and parents to promote safer screen behaviors and mitigate associated risks.
These recommendations encompass interventions such as incorporating regular breaks, performing blinking exercises, conducting routine vision and hearing tests, and providing ergonomic guidance for device usage. By implementing these strategies, stakeholders can facilitate the acquisition of essential digital skills while safeguarding the health and wellbeing of young individuals in educational and home settings.
In light of the findings, there is an urgent need for ongoing dialogue and decisive action to support children’s access to technology in a manner that prioritizes their safety and wellbeing. As digital technologies continue to play an increasingly integral role in modern society, addressing the risks associated with their usage remains a critical imperative for safeguarding the health and development of future generations.
