Screens are part of modern childhood – but excessive or unregulated screen time can quietly disrupt sleep, mood, and emotional regulation in children and teens.
How Screens Affect Mental Health
Excessive screen use can contribute to:
- Sleep deprivation
- Increased anxiety
- Irritability and mood swings
- Difficulty focusing
- Heightened emotional reactivity
For teens, social media use late at night can intensify stress and comparison.
Signs Screen Time May Be Affecting Your Child
- Difficulty falling or staying asleep
- Mood changes after device use
- Resistance to screen limits
- Fatigue or low motivation
- Increased anxiety
How Parents Can Encourage Healthier Habits
- Set consistent, age-appropriate boundaries
- Prioritize screen-free wind-down time
- Keep devices out of bedrooms at night
- Model balanced technology use
- Focus on connection, not control
A child psychiatrist can help families assess whether screen use is contributing to emotional or behavioral concerns, and support healthier routines.
Healthy routines don’t require perfection – just intention. Small changes in sleep and screen habits can lead to big improvements in emotional well-being.
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