Experts warn of screen-time health risks for children

JOPLIN, Mo. — Some experts call it a screen-time health crisis, constantly hooked to those pocket-sized screens that are easily accessible, especially children.

"The ability to constantly have internet at our fingertips is really, for kids without a fully formed frontal lobe, not ideal," said Dr. Kara Reed, Ozark Center Will's Place child psychiatrist.

That's why child psychiatrist Dr. Kara Reed doesn't recommend a child have a phone until they're 14 or even 16 years old.

"We want to help teach our kids that screen time is not all bad, by the way, but really we want to see it as a useful tool, we want to see it as maybe helpful for school work or looking up information," said Reed.

For early childhood, she says children younger than two should have little to no screen time.

Children two to six may have one hour a day.

Children six years or older should stick to less than two hours a day.

"Keep in mind that that is all screen time. TV, phone, tablet. And that's everywhere. School, home, in the car, at the restaurant. And it's really challenging," said Reed.

Dr. Reed knows that challenge comes with parenting — she's also going through it as a parent and she says there's no judgment.

But, unfortunately, the studies show links to worsening mental health, like anxiety or depression, worse cognitive and motor development, more sleep problems, and a higher risk of obesity.

"Early introduction to screen is extremely detrimental to brain development. Cognitive and behavioral development," said Reed.

What apps children use also matters, according to Dr. Reed.

Scrolling apps like Kids YouTube, TikTok, or Instagram can have direct effects on the brain.

"That is incredibly addictive for adults even, let alone children and having a developing brain. And their reward pathway, and their dopamine increasing with scrolling and the novel, new exciting updated screen every time they scroll," said Reed.