ST. LOUIS — Ryan Patterson from Lutheran Family and Children Services discusses the impact of technology on children’s mental health. He says that while electronics have their benefits, excessive use can lead to anxiety, attention, and relationship problems among children.
Patterson emphasizes the importance of setting screen time limits, recommending different maximums for various age groups: 30 minutes for kids under 5, an hour for children up to 11, and stricter limits for older children.
He also stressed the need for parental involvement and supervision, including making meal times electronic-free, encouraging outdoor activities, and teaching digital literacy. Key advice includes monitoring what children watch, encouaging physical activity, and modeling good screen time habits.