Doi: https://doi.org/10.3329/ewmcj.v13i1.

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Editorial 1

SCREEN TIME AND ARRESTED SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT ACROSS

East-West Med. Col. J.

ALL AGES
Rashid MH1

Abstract:
Article History: In recent years, the exponential increase in screen time across all demographics has
Received: 18 November 2024 sparked significant concerns among psychologists, educators, and parents alike. The
Accepted: 30 November 2024 digital world has opened unprecedented opportunities for connectivity, learning, and
convenience, yet it has also introduced new challenges that touch every stage of human
Keywords: development. One major issue is the impact of screen time on social development, which
Screen Time, Arrested Social is critical not only for children and teenagers but also for adults who are experiencing

Vol. 13, No. 1 january 2025

Development, Cell Phone Use, arrested social development in various ways. This editorial explores the potential risks of
Television Use, Digital Device Use excessive screen time and advocates for mindful usage across all age groups.
EWMCJ Vol. 13, No. 1, January 2025: 1-3

Introduction: too. 4 Anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts and

“Screen time” can be defined as activities done before detachment from family and social activities are
a screen, such as watching TV, using a cell phone or increasing day by day with the added screen time.
tablet, working on a laptop, computer, or console or Experts are looking into pits and falls of screen time
playing video games in different screen-containing and its long-term mental and social health and how to
gadgets. 1 Screen time is a sedentary activity, which improve such situation to prevent unwanted
means a person is physically inactive while sitting complications.
down. Physical energy loss is very limited in screen
Understanding the Digital Dilemma
time. Maximum American children spend
approximately 3 hours a day watching TV. Added The expediency of digital interaction has reduced the
together, all types of screen time can be a total 5 to 7 need for face-to-face communication. Younger children
hours a day for American people. According to are growing up in a world where social cues are not
Consumer News and Business Channel (CNBC), they as easily observed and interpreted through screens
reported “Asian users are most “Screen Crazy”. An as they are in person. The early years are crucial for
Asian user logs 439 minutes, or over 7 hours, of screen developing empathy, conflict resolution, and verbal and
non-verbal communication skills. Children who spend
media per day compared with the worldwide average
hours on tablets, smartphones, or computers may
of 417 minutes. Out of those 7 hours, Asian users
miss essential in-person experiences that contribute
spend nearly 2 hours looking at a second digital screen
to emotional intelligence. Studies show that the lack
while watching television.2 This crazy adaptation has
of direct human interaction in these formative years
led to the failure of psychosocial development, speech
can delay social skills, resulting in increased
delay, less intelligence in preschool children to
instances of anxiety, depression, and other social
adolescents even in the older generation. A randomized
challenges later in life.5
controlled trial results in improving of parenteral
education which is an effective intervention for reducing Teenagers, often even more immersed in digital worlds,
screen time and improving sleep quality and attention face their own set of tasks. Social media can create
among preschoolers.3 Greater sedentary time is a distorted sense of reality and self-worth, often
associated with an increased risk for diabetes, and prioritizing online validation over genuine personal
several other cardiometabolic risk factors in adults growth and face-to-face influences. This can lead to

Address of Correspondence: Dr. Md. Humayun Rashid, Associate Professor, Department of Neurosurgery, East-West Medical
College, Dhaka; Phone: +8801717015031; E-mail: dr.humayunsagor@gmail.com
EWMCJ Vol. 13, No. 1, January 2025

feelings of isolation, low self-esteem, and difficulty activities for remote workers. For older adults, 2
forming real-life friendships. For many teenagers, community involvement, social clubs, and volunteer
screens have replaced traditional spaces of social opportunities provide alternatives to passive screen
learning—such as sports, clubs, and community time and encourage active social participation.

East-West Med. Col. J.

involvement—thus impacting their ability to relate to
The recommended screen time varies by age group,
others and function in group settings effectively.
as outlined by health and pediatric organizations like
Adults are not resistant to the effects of excessive the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the
screen time, either. In the workplace, the rise of remote World Health Organization (WHO). 9,10 These
work, although offering flexibility, has also minimized recommendations aim to balance screen use for
physical interactions with colleagues. This shift may learning, social connection, and entertainment while
hinder team dynamics, reduce empathy between protecting physical and mental health. Here’s a
coworkers, and create a sense of professional breakdown:
isolation. Furthermore, in personal relationships, the
misuse of screens can cause splits, often replacing Infants (0-2 Years)
family time and bonding with solitary digital pursuits. • Recommended Screen Time: No screen time,

Vol. 13, No. 1 january 2025

Middle-aged and older adults who rely heavily on except for video chatting with family members.
screens for entertainment and information may also • Reason: Early screen exposure can interfere with
face difficulties maintaining real-world relationships, crucial developmental milestones such as
leading to a gradual loss of essential social skills. language, motor skills, and social interaction.
Babies need real-world interaction to develop
The Science Behind Social Development Delays
properly.
The human brain is wired to learn and adapt through
social interactions. Research has shown that specific Toddlers (2-5 Years)
areas of the brain related to empathy, decision-making, • Recommended Screen Time: Up to 1 hour per day
and emotional regulation are activated and of high-quality programming, such as educational
strengthened through meaningful social exchanges.6,7 content.
The overstimulation from screens, especially during
• Reason: Limited exposure helps ensure that young
early development, can cause sensory overload and
children still engage in essential physical activities
impair these crucial areas of the brain. For example,
and in-person interactions that are key for
the “dopamine feedback loop” created by social media
development.
and other digital interactions may give a sense of
instant gratification, replacing the need for real Children (6-12 Years)
connections, which require effort, patience, and • Recommended Screen Time: No more than 1-2
empathy to build.8 hours per day outside of schoolwork.
Strategies for Reclaiming Social Development • Reason: At this stage, kids are developing social
While technology will continue to play an integral role and cognitive skills that benefit from physical activity,
in modern society, strategies to balance screen time hands-on learning, and social play. Excessive screen
with in-person interaction are essential. For children time can interfere with sleep, increase sedentary
and teenagers, setting limits on screen time and behavior, and reduce attention span.
promoting outdoor activities, hobbies, and group sports
Teenagers (13-18 Years)
can be effective ways to foster social skills. Schools
• Recommended Screen Time: Ideally 2 hours per
and communities should encourage participation in
day outside of educational or work-related activities.
clubs, volunteer work, and other social initiatives that
allow young people to engage with their peers • Reason: As teens navigate social relationships and
meaningfully. self-identity, screen time should be balanced to
allow for physical, mental, and emotional health.
Adults can benefit from setting digital boundaries, such
This includes promoting offline interactions and
as designated screen-free times during family meals,
managing exposure to social media, which can
weekends, or vacations. Employers should consider
impact self-esteem and mental well-being.
encouraging in-person meetings or team-building

2
Screen Time and Arrested Social Development Across All Ages Rashid MH

Adults (18-64 Years) 3. Lin YM, Kuo SY, Chang YK, Lin PC, Lin YK, Lee PH, et al. 3
Effects of parental education on screen time, sleep
• Recommended Screen Time: No strict limit, but
disturbances, and psychosocial adaptation among Asian
should aim to limit recreational screen time to about
preschoolers: A randomized controlled study. Journal of
2 hours per day.

East-West Med. Col. J.

Pediatric Nursing. 2020 Jul;56. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/
• Reason: While work may require more screen time, j.pedn.2020.07.003
recreational use should be balanced with physical 4. Ahmad, S., Shanmugasegaram, S., Walker, K.L. et
activity, face-to-face social interactions, and rest. al. Examining sedentary time as a risk factor for
Prolonged screen use can lead to issues like eye cardiometabolic diseases and their markers in South Asian
strain, poor posture, and reduced physical activity. adults: a systematic review. Int J Public Health 62, 503–
515 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-017-0947-8
Older Adults (65+ Years) 5. Almeida ILL, Rego JF, Teixeira ACG, Moreira MR. Social
• Recommended Screen Time: No specific limit, but isolation and its impact on child and adolescent development:
should prioritize physical activity, social engagement, a systematic review. Rev Paul Pediatr. 2021 Oct
and mental stimulation outside of screens. 4;40:e2020385. doi: 10.1590/1984-0462/2022/40/2020385.
PMID: 34614137; PMCID: PMC8543788.
• Reason: For older adults, screen time is often less
6. Chavira Trujillo G, Gallego Tomás M, López-Pérez B. The
of a developmental concern but may still impact

Vol. 13, No. 1 january 2025

link between cognitive and affective empathy and
physical health and cognitive function if excessive.
interpersonal emotion regulation direction and strategies.
Encouraging time with family, hobbies, and light Scand J Psychol. 2022 Dec;63(6):594-600. doi: 10.1111/
exercise is beneficial for well-being. sjop.12847. Epub 2022 Jun 14. PMID: 35698828; PMCID:
PMC9796316.
General Tips Across Age Groups:
7. Jia K, Liu X. Regulating Empathy: Exploring the Process
1. Set Screen-Free Times and Zones – Designate
through Agents and Strategies. International Journal of
screen-free times, such as during meals or before
Mental Health Promotion. 2023 Jan 1;0(0):1–10.Doi: https:/
bedtime, and screen-free zones, like bedrooms. /doi.org/10.32604/ijmhp.2023.043430
2. Prioritize Quality – Choose educational and 8. ý, I., Dakiæ, P. (2024). Antisocial Behavior and the Dopamine
meaningful content, especially for younger users. Loop on Different Technological Platforms and Industries:
An Overview. In: Yang, XS., Sherratt, R.S., Dey, N., Joshi,
3. Model Healthy Habits – Adults should set an
A. (eds) Proceedings of Eighth International Congress on
example by following screen time guidelines Information and Communication Technology. ICICT 2023.
themselves. Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems, vol 696. Springer,
By setting age-appropriate limits, we can create a Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-3236-8_37
balanced approach to screen use that fosters healthy 9. AACAP. Screen Time and Children [Internet]. Aacap.org.
development and well-being across all age groups. American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry;
2024. Available from: https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/
Conclusion Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/
The challenge of balancing screen time with social Children-And-Watching-TV-054.aspx
development is multifaceted, but it is indispensable for 10. Guidelines on Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour and
the well-being of all age groups. Digital devices have Sleep for Children under 5 Years of Age. Geneva: World
undeniable benefits, but when relied upon excessively, Health Organization; 2019. PMID: 31091057.
they can hinder the social growth essential for emotional
health and well-being. By espousing mindful approaches
©2025 Rashid MH.; This open-access article is
to technology and prioritizing real-world interactions,
distributed under the terms of the Creative
society can work towards a future where technology
complements—rather than compromises—our capacity Common Attribution License (http://
for social connection. creativecommons.org/licenses.by/4.0), which
permits unrestricted use, distribution, and
Reference: reproduction in any medium, provided the original
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