iStock/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — Could some kids be turning into psychotic junkies from too much screen time? One doctor’s been saying any screen time for young children is worse than previously thought — referring to some technology as “digital heroin.”
Dr. Nicholas Kardaras says any screen time for young kids can be bad because it’s too much for their developing brains and interferes with their sense of reality.
But ABC News Chief Health and Medical Editor Dr. Richard Besser is skeptical, urging parents to consult the American Academy of Pediatrics website for current screen time guidelines for 6- to 12-year-olds. The academy suggests some screen time is okay for younger kids and some educational programming is even beneficial.
“You want to select together those sites that are appropriate for your kid to use and only use those,” Dr. Besser said Monday on Good Morning America. “And go over behavior so that they’re not being exposed to cyber-bullying.”
Dr. Besser also suggested that parents do not allow screen time for kids during family time, but to balance it against their other activities.
The American Academy of Pediatrics website has a feature that will allow parents to input their children’s time for reading, sleep and other activities.
“And you’re going to come down to no more than one or two hours,” he said.
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