Health
Limit of 3 hours of weekly screen time for kids has ‘positive effect’ on behavior, mental health: study
When it comes to screen time and kids, less is more.
That’s according to a recent Denmark study led by Dr. Jesper Schmidt-Persson from the University of Southern Denmark. It looked at the effects of reduced screen media exposure on youth mental health.
Eighty-nine families with a total of 181 children and teens were randomly assigned to one of two groups.
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The first group had to surrender their smartphones and tablets for a two-week period, and limit use of other screen media — such as TV and computers — to three hours or less per week, not counting work or school.
The control group did not have any limitations.
Families that limited kids’ screen exposure saw improvements in the children’s mental health — particularly in how the kids managed their emotions, communicated with peers and displayed behavioral difficulties. (Cyberguy.com)
The average ages of the children ranged from 4 to 17, averaging at 8 to 9 years old.
The families filled out a Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) at the end of the study period that gauged the children’s psychological symptoms.
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The groups that limited kids’ screen exposure saw improvements in mental health — particularly in how they managed their emotions and communicated with peers in helpful, considerate ways, plus a decrease in behavioral difficulties.
The findings were published in JAMA Network Open last month.
Fox News Digital reached out to the lead researcher for comment.
Risks of excess screen time for kids
In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General released an advisory related to youth social media use, emphasizing mental health concerns.
“There is evidence that children who have excessive screen time or access to social media at young ages are more likely to be depressed or anxious,” Dr. Joshua Stein, a child and adolescent psychiatrist and clinical director at PrairieCare in Minnesota, previously told Fox News Digital.
In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General released an advisory related to social media use among youth, emphasizing mental health concerns. (Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
The expert cited a Gallup research study from 2023, which noted that teens who were on screens more than five hours a day were 60% more likely to express suicidal thoughts or self-harm.
“Those children were 2.8 times more likely to have a negative body view and 30% more likely to describe ‘a lot of sadness,’” added Stein, who was not involved in the Denmark research.
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Access to smartphones and social media increases the risk of cyberbullying, depression, sleep-related concerns, self-harm and body image issues, according to Stein.
“It can also lower self-esteem, and can socially pressure people to act outside their morals and family beliefs,” he added.
What’s a healthy amount of screen time for kids?
For kids ages 2 and older, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends capping screen time at two hours per day.
It discourages any use of media for children younger than age 2, per its website.
For kids ages 2 and older, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a cap of screen time at two hours per day. (iStock)
The American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) outlines specific guidelines for each age group on its website.
For babies up to 18 months, it recommends limiting screen use to video chatting with an adult.
Between a child’s age of 18 month and 24 months, its guideline is to use screens only for educational programming.
For kids between 2 and 5 years of age, the AACAP recommends a limit of one hour per weekday and three hours on weekends for any non-educational screen time.
“To be honest and point blank, the least amount of screen time is healthy for children,” an expert told Fox News Digital. (Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
It does not specify an hourly limit for ages 6 and older, but does recommend encouraging healthy habits and limiting screen-based activities.
“To be honest and point blank, the least amount of screen time is healthy for children,” Dr. Zeyad Baker, a pediatric physician with Baker Health in New Jersey, previously told Fox News Digital.
He admitted that it gets trickier for parents to moderate use when kids need to do homework online — and he believes the quality of screen time comes into play when setting limits.
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“I think if you are doing family screen time on an educational level or if kids are using screen time to dig deep into valuable information and topics at a limited capacity, that is very different from watching and absorbing mindless content on the internet on a consistent basis,” Baker said.
An expert recommends only allowing children to have access to social media or certain television channels on the weekend and limiting screen time to academic-related content during the week. (Cyberguy.com)
He recommends only allowing children to have access to social media or certain television channels on the weekend and limiting screen time to academic-related content during the week.
Parents should not make screen time limitations come across as punishment, the expert noted.
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“Instead, they should encourage other activities, like going outside to play,” he said.
“Not only is that good for physical health, by adding activity and increasing vitamin D levels, but it’s also great for their mental health.”
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released the biggest causes of mortality in 2023.
The report, published by the agency on Aug. 8, was based on death records from the National Vital Statistics System.
A total of 3,090,582 deaths occurred in the U.S. in 2023, a decline of 6.1% compared to 2022, the report stated.
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“The overall death rate is decreasing,” Dr. Marc Siegel, senior medical analyst for Fox News and clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center, told Fox News Digital.
“The key change is decreased deaths from COVID as the population builds up more immunity.”
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released the biggest causes of mortality in 2023. (REUTERS/Tami Chappell)
COVID was the fourth leading cause of mortality in 2022, linked to 245,614 deaths.
It plummeted to the 10th cause in 2023, with 76,446 deaths.
Death rates were highest among the elderly, males and Black people, Siegel noted.
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“This is not a surprise because of increasing risks in these groups, including high blood pressure and heart disease,” he said.
Considering demographic groups, overall death rates were lowest among “non-Hispanic multiracial” and highest among “non-Hispanic Black or African American persons,” the report confirmed.
The top 10 causes of death in 2023, as reported by the CDC. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Top 10 causes of death for 2023
Below are the top 10 leading underlying causes of death in the U.S., as compiled by the CDC using data from the National Vital Statistics System.
- Heart disease
- Cancer
- Unintentional injury
- Stroke
- Chronic lower respiratory diseases
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Diabetes
- Kidney disease
- Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis
- COVID-19
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There were some limitations in the study, the CDC acknowledged.
“Data are provisional, and numbers and rates might change as additional information is received,” the agency wrote in the report.
Heart disease was once again the top cause of death in 2023. (iStock)
The actual death count may be higher in some categories due to a lag time in reporting.
Different jurisdictions may also submit death certificates on varying timelines, the agency noted.
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There is also the “potential for misclassification” among certain races and ethnicities, per the report, so that “death rates for some groups might be underestimated or overestimated.”
Fox News Digital reached out to the CDC and additional physicians for comment.
Health
8 top health stories of the week: What you must know about AI advances, rare diseases and more
Fox News Digital publishes an array of health pieces all week long to keep you in the know on key wellness topics: disease prevention, nutrition, medical research, health care and more. Personal stories of people and families overcoming great obstacles are featured as well.
This weekend, check out some of the top stories of the week in Health that you may have missed or have been meaning to check out.
There are many more to see at http://www.foxnews/health.
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Dive right in!
1. Conjoined twins lived for just 1 hour after birth
Breana Dell of Atlanta was able to hold her newborn twins, Amelia Jane and Elhora Auri, for just one hour after they were born on Feb. 29 — but every minute was filled with “peace” and “awe,” she said. She shared her journey with Fox News Digital. Click here to get the story.
Amelia Jane Dell and Elhora Auri Dell were born on Feb. 29 at 7:37 a.m. They each weighed 3.5 pounds. (Mandy Daniel Photography)
2. Generational cancer concerns revealed in new poll
Certain types of cancers are more prevalent among Gen X and millennials, according to a new study led by the American Cancer Society. Click to see the 17 cancers that are more prevalent among younger cohorts. Click here to get the story.
Certain types of cancers are more prevalent among Gen X and millennials, according to a new study led by the American Cancer Society. (iStock)
3. Heart attack risk could rise with artificial sweetener consumption
An artificial sweetener, erythritol, which is common in keto diets, has been linked to an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes, according to a Cleveland Clinic study. Click here to get the story.
Erythritol, which is used to sweeten many low-sugar, reduced-calorie drinks and foods, was found to cause a spike in blood platelets and blood clot formation in a new study. (iStock)
4. Emerging tech could be key to early dementia diagnosis
By pairing artificial intelligence and EEG tests, Mayo Clinic researchers were able to identify specific types of dementia sooner than they would have through human analysis. Click here to get the story.
An electroencephalogram (EEG) is a test that measures electrical activity in the brain using small, metal discs (electrodes) attached to the scalp. This activity shows up as wavy lines on an EEG recording. (iStock)
5. Ozempic and surgery don’t mix, doctors say
Patients who are taking GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and others could face complications during surgery, recent research has shown. Here’s what to know. Click here to get the story.
GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide) receptor agonists are commonly prescribed to patients with type 2 diabetes, to stabilize blood glucose levels — or patients with obesity, to assist with weight loss. (iStock)
6. Olympic swimmer Katie Ledecky reveals her disease
After nearly a decade of keeping it under wraps, Olympic medalist Katie Ledecky has shared her POTS diagnosis with the world. Here are the symptoms and treatments for the condition. Click here to get the story.
For more Health articles, visit foxnews.com/health
Katie Ledecky reacts after competing in the swimming 400m Freestyle Women’s Heats during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at La Defense Arena on July 27, 2024. (Getty Images)
7. Poll reveals what teens need from their parents
Most Gen Zers said they want their parents to listen to them when they’re upset — but they don’t necessarily want advice. A new Gallup poll reveals this and more data about how teens cope with their emotions. Click here to get the story.
Conjoined twins, AI advances, teenage anxiety, cancer trends and more are all among the topics covered here. (Mandy Daniel Photography; iStock)
8. Home remedy to trigger pregnancy may not be safe
Many pregnant women on TikTok are claiming they’ve ingested castor oil to help induce delivery, with mixed results. Some experts, however, caution that this may not be safe. Click here to get the story.
A labor and delivery nurse shared a warning on TikTok that the use of castor oil to induce pregnancy is not for everyone. (iStock)
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced Friday its rejection of MDMA as a treatment for PTSD.
The decision was based on “significant limitations” that “prevent the agency from concluding that the drug is safe and effective for the proposed indication,” the FDA stated, according to The Associated Press.
MDMA, also known as ecstasy or molly, is a psychedelic drug with effects that are similar to methamphetamine, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
FDA PANEL REJECTS MDMA-ASSISTED THERAPIES FOR PTSD DESPITE HIGH HOPES FROM VETERANS
Veteran organizations have long been advocating for approval of psychedelic-assisted therapies to treat mental health challenges.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Friday its rejection of MDMA as a treatment for PTSD. (iStock)
The FDA’s decision comes nearly eight weeks after an FDA advisory committee voted 10-1 against the overall benefits of MDMA in treating PTSD.
The FDA has requested another Phase 3 trial to confirm the drug’s safety and efficacy.
Lykos Therapeutics, the California company that filed the drug application, said it plans to meet with the FDA to appeal the decision, according to reports.
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“The FDA request for another study is deeply disappointing, not just for all those who dedicated their lives to this pioneering effort, but principally for the millions of Americans with PTSD, along with their loved ones, who have not seen any new treatment options in over two decades,” Amy Emerson, the Lykos CEO, said in a statement from the company.
“While conducting another Phase 3 study would take several years, we still maintain that many of the requests that had been previously discussed with the FDA and raised at the Advisory Committee meeting can be addressed with existing data, post-approval requirements or through reference to the scientific literature.”
Veteran organizations have long been advocating for approval of psychedelic-assisted therapies for treating mental health challenges. (iStock)
An FDA spokesperson released a statement regarding the decision.
“As discussed at the Advisory Committee meeting, there are significant limitations to the data contained in the application that prevent the agency from concluding that this drug is safe and effective for the proposed indication.”
“The FDA request for another study is deeply disappointing, not just for all those who dedicated their lives to this pioneering effort, but for the millions of Americans with PTSD.”
Regarding the need for additional treatments for PTSD and other mental health conditions, the agency said it encourages further research and development to “further innovation for psychedelic treatments and other therapies to address these medical needs.”
PharmAla Biotech, a Toronto-based company focused on researching, developing and manufacturing novel derivatives of MDMA, reacted to the decision in a statement sent to Fox News Digital.
“USFDA has an important responsibility to get things right, and we believe that they are acting in good faith. However, there is a vitally important patient need for novel PTSD treatments, which must be balanced with that prudency,” said Nicholas Kadysh, CEO of PharmAla Biotech.
Ecstasy pills (Reuters)
“MDMA is not only supported by a significant evidence base of published clinical trial research, but is also being actively used in patient treatments in two jurisdictions, Canada and Australia, entirely supplied by PharmAla.”
Kadysh added that the company is committed to ongoing research to “convince even the most skeptical regulators that this medicine is both safe and effective.”
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Joe Perekupka, CEO of Freespira, the Washington-based company that makes an FDA-approved digital therapeutic for PTSD and anxiety, also reacted to the decision.
There have not been any new treatment options for PTSD in over two decades, according to a statement from Lykos Therapeutics. (iStock)
“The FDA’s recent decision on MDMA underscores the complex landscape of mental health treatments. At Freespira, we recognize the urgent need for additional effective PTSD treatments, but support the FDA’s commitment to patient safety when reviewing potential new treatments,” he said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
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“We believe in the importance of diverse treatment options and will continue to focus on our mission of democratizing access to advanced mental health care through our patient-centric model.”
Fox News Digital reached out to the FDA and to Lykos Therapeutics requesting comment.
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