Parents warned to restrict kids' screen time

A study by Curtin University in Australia has found that children are spending increasingly dangerous periods of time in front of screens. Photo / Thinkstock

New Zealand parents are being warned to limit their children's time in front of iPads and other electronic devices after new research found prolonged use can result in long-term back and neck problems.

A study by Curtin University in Australia has found that children are spending increasingly dangerous periods of time in front of screens.

It found that 60 per cent of children under the age of 5 spend up to an hour using electronic devices every day. A quarter use screens for more than one hour a day.

"The behaviours they develop early in life can cause musculoskeletal issues later on in life," post-doctoral research fellow Pieter Coenen told The Australian.

He will present the study's preliminary results at the Inter-national Ergonomics Association congress in Melbourne next month.

Some countries advise a maximum one hour of screen time, including TV, for children between 2-5, with no electronic device use for children younger than 2.

New Zealand's Ministry of Health has not published any specific guidelines for children under 5.

Melbourne-based ergonomist Stephanie Cassidy told The Australian that children should only spend a maximum of half an hour in a fixed position before moving again.

"If kids start reporting symptoms of neck and back pain, these symptoms are often a sign that your body is not coping with what you're putting it through," she said.

Tara Fagan, a consultant with Core Education, who specialises in digital learning, said screens were useful learning tools as long as applications were open-ended and interactive.

She also warned that they needed to be used in moderation.

"With early childhood centres where I work, that is very well monitored and maintained so that children have the right balance. It is one tool that is available across a whole curriculum of tools."

Christchurch-based educationalist and child development expert Gill Connell said parents should lead by example and "be mindful" of when and how they use a screen themselves.

Overuse of screens can damage developing young eyes, she said, while too many inactive hours can interfere with physical and developmental progress.

The Ministry of Education said it was not aware of any research or evidence about specific injuries caused by the overuse of digital devices.

"However, there is a growing discussion about the issue of the health and well-being of people using digital devices, and we would be interested in any new evidence on this that comes to light because we are constantly updating our guidelines," said Lesley Hoskin, acting head of student achievement.

"We advise parents that it is a good idea to ensure their child's screen time is balanced with other activities to ensure their health, safety or happiness."