HHS releases resources to reduce ‘harmful screen use’ among children

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on May 20 released an advisory and toolkit calling on Americans to reduce “harmful screen use” among children and adolescents.

The “Surgeon General’s Warning on the Harms of Screen Use: An Advisory and Toolkit on How to Protect Children and Adolescents” shares an overview of the risks associated with too much screen use, what evidence supports the conclusion that those risks exist, and steps that people in various community roles can take to address the problem.

Dr. Stephanie Haridopolos, the director of national health communications for the Office of the Surgeon General, said in an HHS press release that the office wants to quickly motivate people to protect children from screen time issues.

“Kids are growing up in digital spaces that were never designed for their safety, and these online experiences are shaping how they think, feel, and interact in real life,” Haridopolos said in an HHS press release. “We want children to live real life, not be pulled into harmful environments online.”

Haridopolos is performing many duties of the Surgeon General until the Senate confirms a candidate nominated by President Donald Trump, whose most recent pick is radiologist Dr. Nicole Saphier.

The advisory said children who are using screens compulsively might

• Spend too much time on screens
• Constantly think about screen use
• Repeatedly ask to use screens
• Use screens to feel better and become upset when screen time ends
• Hide or lie about screen use
• Get defensive when asked about screen use
• Fail to reduce screen use
• Become emotionally withdrawn when screens are not accessible
• Prioritize screen time over other responsibilities
• Stop having in-person conversations
• Not stop using screens even if there are negative consequences

Excessive screen use, according to the advisory, is linked with health problems, including diet and sleep issues, in school-aged children, and nearly half of teenagers have experienced cyberbullying. The advisory also reported that between 3.5% and 5% of children experience sextortion and that teenagers who have more screen time are more likely to experience mental health and behavioral problems, including substance use, depression, and anxiety.

The advisory acknowledged that gaps in research and variations in findings exist and that most evidence is observational.

“However, when taking all the evidence together there is sufficient evidence of potential harms, suggesting we as a nation should take concrete steps to reduce them,” the advisory said. “Our children do not have the luxury of waiting until research is exhaustive and completely encompassing.”

The toolkit and advisory recommend actions youth, families, schools, health care providers, researchers, policymakers, and technology companies can take to support children’s health. In addition, it funneled tools and strategies around “the 5 Ds,” discuss (what youth are viewing), do (model desired behaviors and appropriate use of screens), delay (access), divert (to healthier activities), and disconnect (regularly have time away from screens).

Among other recommendations, the advisory asked technology companies to encourage children to spend more time outside, with friends, or engaged in exercise, and suggested youth use technology to connect with friends and family members, learn about new hobbies or interests, and find online communities that relate to their values.