Study: Limit Screen Time, Boost Activity for Children's Brain Health

Children need to curb their screen time and prioritize physical activity and adequate sleep to foster lifelong brain health, according to a recent study. The Active Healthy Kids Scotland Report Card 2026 highlights that excessive gadget use remains a significant challenge for adolescents.

In Scotland, only 20% of teenagers adhere to the recommended maximum of two hours of screen time per day. Around half of them exceed this limit, leading to insufficient sleep. The report examines various behaviors, environmental factors, and social inequalities that shape the foundation of brain health throughout life.

Dr. Farid Bardid, lead author and a lecturer in Physical Activity and Health at the University of Strathclyde, stressed the critical link between physical activity, screen time, and sleep quality in early childhood development. "Physical activity has short-term and long-term benefits for cognitive functions, including reasoning, planning, and problem-solving abilities, which are crucial for children's participation in school, family, and community life," he stated.

Professor John Reilly from the University of Strathclyde's Department of Psychological and Health Sciences added that prolonged screen time displaces activities vital for brain health. This shift typically begins around ages four to five and intensifies with age. The Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI) recommends no screen time for children under 18 months, except for video calls. For children aged 18-24 months, limited exposure to quality educational content with full parental supervision is advised. Children aged two to five should have a maximum of one hour of screen time daily, with parental guidance, while those six and older should limit it to 1.2 to 2 hours outside of schoolwork.

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Physical activity has short-term and long-term benefits for cognitive functions, including reasoning, planning, and problem-solving abilities, which are crucial for children's participation in school, family, and community life.