The Medical Verdict Is In: Screen Time Is Now A Health Crisis
You often see me write about the “risks” of the online world, predators, bullying, and scams. I read a Sky News article1 this morning that features a new and somewhat urgent warning from the UK’s top medical doctors, suggesting that we need to stop looking at screens as a safety issue and start treating them as a health emergency.
If you had needed more proof that the current “wild west” of unrestricted access is failing children, this is it.
The Warning: “Horrific” Cases on the Frontline
The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges (AoMRC), which represents 23 medical bodies across the UK, has sent a stark letter to the government. They certainly aren’t mincing their words either. They are warning of a “public health emergency” which is being driven by the unrestricted use of devices and social media by children.
Dr Jeanette Dickson, chair of the Academy, described the situation using a chilling phrase that will resonate with many of you who fight for your children’s attention:
“Everywhere we look, we see children and adults glued to their screens... I really worry for children, some of whom are self-evidently imprisoned in a digital bubble.”
But this isn’t just about kids zoning out. The letter also details that frontline clinicians, doctors in A&E, GPs, and community specialists are witnessing “horrific cases” of harm.
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It’s Not Just Mental Health—It’s Physical
We often focus on the mental impact (anxiety, depression, and the comparison trap), but the medical community are seeing a full-on assault on children’s health. The “horrific” impact includes:
Sleep Destruction: It’s not just about being “tired.” The blue light and dopamine loops are destroying the deep sleep that children need for brain development, especially in the early years.
The Sloth Trap: As screen time soars, physical activity plummets, fueling an obesity crisis that is setting children up to endure lifelong health struggles.
Musculoskeletal Damage: “Tech neck” and poor posture are causing physical issues in developing bodies that we once only saw in office workers in their 40s.
Why This Matters Now
The timing of this intervention is very important. It comes as the UK government is considering stricter regulations, potentially following Australia’s lead in banning social media for under-16s.
When the people whom we trust to fix our broken bones and treat our sick minds say they are overwhelmed by the casualties of the digital age, we have a duty to listen. This is no longer just a debate between geeks and politicians; it’s a medical reality!
What Can You Do Today?
I think you all know that waiting for legislation is not the option here, as it takes far too long. Here are some of the things you can consider right now:
Bedroom Ban: If you do only one thing, keep devices out of the bedroom. Sleep is the foundation of mental and physical resilience. Buy them an old-school alarm clock if they complain.
No Phones Rule: Reclaim the dinner table. No phones, no exceptions (that includes you, Mum and Dad).
Break the Bubble: Dr Dickson warned of children being “imprisoned” in a digital bubble. You hold the key to that bubble. Encourage and also enforce time outdoors, face-to-face clubs, and boredom. Boredom is where creativity happens, not doom scrolling on a feed.
Doctors have sounded the alarm. It’s up to you heed the warnings and answer the call.
As always, thank you for your support. Please share this across your social media, and if you do have any comments, questions, or concerns, then feel free to reach out to me here or on BlueSky, as I am always happy to spend some time helping to protect children online.
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https://news.sky.com/story/doctors-warn-of-horrific-impact-of-tech-and-devices-on-young-peoples-health-13495803
These are excellent tips and we’ve definitely found they’ve made a *huge* difference with our kids. There’s always a few days to a week of resistance and battles when we put these changes in place but after that the increase in positivity, reduction in fighting, and the general wellbeing of everyone in the house is so dramatic it makes it plain how destructive too much/unchecked screen time is. The benefits are so great even the kids themselves acknowledge them.