Impacts of Digital Technologies on Child and Adolescent Health: Recommendations for Safer Screen Use in Educational Settings

Simple item page
aut.relation.endpage13
aut.relation.issue1598
aut.relation.journalNew Zealand Medical Journal
aut.relation.startpage9
aut.relation.volume137
dc.contributor.authorCullen, J
dc.contributor.authorMuntz, A
dc.contributor.authorMarsh, S
dc.contributor.authorSimmonds, L
dc.contributor.authorMayes, J
dc.contributor.authorO’neill, K
dc.contributor.authorDuncan, S
dc.date.accessioned2024-07-22T23:17:37Z
dc.date.available2024-07-22T23:17:37Z
dc.date.issued2024-07-05
dc.description.abstractThe use of screen-based digital technologies (such as computers and digital devices) is increasing for children and adolescents, worldwide. Digital technologies offer benefits, including educational opportunities, social connection and access to health information. Digital fluency has been recognised as an essential skill for future prosperity. However, along with these opportunities, digital technologies also present a risk of harm to young people. This issue may be particularly important for young New Zealanders, who have among the highest rates of screen use in the world. Our recently published review examined the impacts of digital technologies on the health and wellbeing of children and adolescents. Key findings revealed some positive impacts from moderate use of digital technologies; however, frequent and extended use of screen-based digital tools were associated with negative impacts on child and adolescent health in some areas, such as eye health, noise-induced hearing loss and pain syndromes. Conversely, in areas such as mental health, wellbeing and cognition, quality of screen media content and additional factors such as age may be more important than duration of use. These challenges gave us the impetus to develop pragmatic recommendations for the use of digital technologies in schools, kura kaupapa and early childhood education. Recommendations include interventions to lower risk across different ages and stages of development. Supporting young people to mitigate risk and develop safer screen behaviours will allow them to gain essential digital skills and access opportunities that will enable them to thrive.
dc.identifier.citationNew Zealand Medical Journal, ISSN: 0028-8446 (Print); 1175-8716 (Online), Pasifika Medical Association Group, 137(1598), 9-13. doi: 10.26635/6965.6565
dc.identifier.doi10.26635/6965.6565
dc.identifier.issn0028-8446
dc.identifier.issn1175-8716
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10292/17812
dc.languageeng
dc.publisherPasifika Medical Association Group
dc.relation.urihttps://nzmj.org.nz/journal/vol-137-no-1598/impacts-of-digital-technologies-on-child-and-adolescent-health-recommendations-for-safer-screen-use-in-educational-settings
dc.rightsThe New Zealand Medical Journal now offers free open access for all individuals.
dc.rights.accessrightsOpenAccess
dc.subject4203 Health Services and Systems
dc.subject32 Biomedical and Clinical Sciences
dc.subject42 Health Sciences
dc.subjectPediatric
dc.subjectPrevention
dc.subjectGeneric health relevance
dc.subject3 Good Health and Well Being
dc.subject11 Medical and Health Sciences
dc.subjectGeneral & Internal Medicine
dc.subject32 Biomedical and clinical sciences
dc.subject42 Health sciences
dc.subject.meshAdolescent
dc.subject.meshChild
dc.subject.meshHumans
dc.subject.meshAdolescent Health
dc.subject.meshChild Health
dc.subject.meshDigital Technology
dc.subject.meshNew Zealand
dc.subject.meshSchools
dc.subject.meshScreen Time
dc.subject.meshAdolescent
dc.subject.meshChild
dc.subject.meshHumans
dc.subject.meshAdolescent Health
dc.subject.meshChild Health
dc.subject.meshDigital Technology
dc.subject.meshNew Zealand
dc.subject.meshSchools
dc.subject.meshScreen Time
dc.titleImpacts of Digital Technologies on Child and Adolescent Health: Recommendations for Safer Screen Use in Educational Settings
dc.typeJournal Article
pubs.elements-id562980
Files
Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
1598-editorial.pdf
Size:
117.66 KB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
Journal article
Download
Collections
School of Sport and Recreation - Te Kura Hākinakina