Project

Brittany Duncan

25 November 2017

IFSM 304 7985 Fall 2017

Should we, as parents, limit teenagers’ screen time?

I selected this topic because I have always wondered whether the increase in screen time that teenagers are getting is beneficial to their wellbeing. Todays’ kids are getting more and more attached to electronics and spending less time outdoors, playing sports, engaging in face-to-face social interactions, and spending less time, overall, with their families. Most teenagers today are locked away in their rooms, basements, living rooms, etc. in front of a television, computer, phone or tablet playing video games or on social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snap Chat. There is an argument that they are being social within those games or site; however, is it actually good for their mental health? In the article, “On Cyber Skills and Parenting” , by Irina Raicu, she states, “…Teens who spend more time than averages on screen activities are more likely to be unhappy, and those who spend more time than average on non-screen activities are more likely to be happy.” As a parent, you should ask yourself, “am I really doing what is in my child’s best interest by allowing them to have unlimited screen-time?”

Questions to address in C2 paper:

1. Is there a true link between the amount of screen time of high-school aged teenagers and their overall happiness, health, and well-being?

a. This question is critically important because this is the basis for the research paper. Are teens more likely to be depressed, have mental illnesses, engage in binge drinking, etc. because of their social media usage or their gaming habits? Are teens that play video games more likely to be overweight?

2. Can social media usage lead to increased drinking in adolescents?

a. There is evidence to support that excess social media usage can lead to depression and binge drinking in adolescents because of the “keeping up with the Jones’ “ mentality. Many teens also experience cyberbullying through social media, and this can lead to binge drinking and further depression.

3. Are video games potentially beneficial for some teens?

a. Teens with Asperger’s Syndrome or Autism Spectrum Disorder have occasionally shown improvements through increased screen-time. Could the screen time be beneficial in some cases, whereas it is detrimental in others? Because of different personality types (introverted vs extroverted), some teens do better without face-to-face interaction and video games can allow that interaction for them in a beneficial environment. The teen can still be social, but in an environment that allows them to feel “safe”.

Proposed Resources:

· Janssen, I. ). (2016). Estimating Whether Replacing Time in Active Outdoor Play and Sedentary Video Games With Active Video Games Influences Youth's Mental Health. Journal Of Adolescent Health, 59(5), 517-522. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2016.07.007 http://eds.b.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.umuc.edu/eds/detail/detail?vid=0&sid=bf762a33-b639-4ecd-bd32-accf658760ea%40sessionmgr102&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWRzLWxpdmUmc2NvcGU9c2l0ZQ%3d%3d#AN=edselc.2-52.0-84994173310&db=edselc

· Malinverni, L., Mora-Guiard, J., Padillo, V., Valero, L., Hervás, A., & Pares, N. (2017). An inclusive design approach for developing video games for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Computers In Human Behavior, 71535-549. doi:10.1016/j.chb.2016.01.018 http://eds.b.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.umuc.edu/eds/detail/detail?vid=0&sid=9e110ee9-5517-4d9c-8987-bc6734ccf79c%40sessionmgr120&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWRzLWxpdmUmc2NvcGU9c2l0ZQ%3d%3d#AN=122009969&db=iih

· Zan, G. (2017). Fight fire with fire? Promoting physical activity and health through active video games. Journal Of Sport And Health Science, Vol 6, Iss 1, Pp 1-3 (2017), (1), 1. doi:10.1016/j.jshs.2016.11.009 http://eds.b.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.umuc.edu/eds/detail/detail?vid=0&sid=3b119b74-7be7-4e51-93a9-9a2d85922833%40sessionmgr120&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWRzLWxpdmUmc2NvcGU9c2l0ZQ%3d%3d#AN=edsdoj.5311ba401d074aafbcab8e7dac7afb78&db=edsdoj

· Strahan, B. E., & Elder, J. H. (2015). Video Game Playing Effects on Obesity in an Adolescent with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Case Study. Autism Research & Treatment, 1-7. doi:10.1155/2015/128365 http://eds.b.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.umuc.edu/eds/detail/detail?vid=0&sid=0ca04a1c-1fe4-48ee-aa8c-10c8dee077f5%40sessionmgr101&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWRzLWxpdmUmc2NvcGU9c2l0ZQ%3d%3d#AN=113625790&db=a9h

· Kirsh, S. J. (2003). The effects of violent video games on adolescents. The overlooked influence of development. Aggression And Violent Behavior, 8377-389. doi:10.1016/S1359-1789(02)00056-3 http://eds.b.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.umuc.edu/eds/detail/detail?vid=0&sid=d88d3cfd-ba98-4ce2-9ae0-b61f67912599%40sessionmgr101&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWRzLWxpdmUmc2NvcGU9c2l0ZQ%3d%3d#AN=S1359178902000563&db=edselp

· Tips for Parents: Video Games and Your Children. (2012). Brown University Child & Adolescent Behavior Letter, 281-2. http://eds.b.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.umuc.edu/eds/detail/detail?vid=0&sid=17aa189a-231d-4134-84e6-a80fe846ee35%40sessionmgr120&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWRzLWxpdmUmc2NvcGU9c2l0ZQ%3d%3d#AN=74075219&db=tfh

· Weinstein, E. (2017). Full length article: Adolescents' differential responses to social media browsing: Exploring causes and consequences for intervention. Computers In Human Behavior, 76396-405. doi:10.1016/j.chb.2017.07.038 http://eds.b.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.umuc.edu/eds/detail/detail?vid=0&sid=db7c347e-6eb0-4861-8b11-40208c3a11c6%40sessionmgr120&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWRzLWxpdmUmc2NvcGU9c2l0ZQ%3d%3d#AN=S0747563217304600&db=edselp