Heart Group Reinforces Screen Time Limits as Use Among Kids Soars

By Amy Orciari Herman

Edited by Susan Sadoughi, MD, and André Sofair, MD, MPH

U.S. children aged 8 to 18 years spend, on average, over 7 hours each day in front of screens for recreational purposes, according to estimates reported in a new advisory on sedentary behavior and childhood obesity from the American Heart Association.

Although television viewing has declined over the past two decades, increased use of smartphones, tablets, and other devices has resulted in a large increase in overall screen time. The authors note that screen time is linked with adiposity — an association that often remains after accounting for diet and exercise.

In a news release, the chair of the AHA writing committee said, "We want to reinforce the American Heart Association's long-standing recommendation for children and teens to get no more than 1–2 hours of recreational screen time daily. Given that most youth already far exceed these limits, it is especially important for parents to be vigilant about their child's screen time, including phones." The AHA reiterated its recommendations against having screens in bedrooms and eating meals in front of screens.