Too much screen time ‘affecting UK children’s wellbeing’

Public Health England has issued a warning that too much time in front of screens – including TV and computer games – is having an adverse effect on the wellbeing of British youngsters.

The paper suggested that higher levels of TV viewing are causing children to experience lower self-worth, reduced self-esteem and lower levels of self-reported happiness, while those who also spent a lot of time on their computers reported higher levels of emotional distress, anxiety and depression.

Moreover, many are also leading extremely sedentary lifestyles, with more than 70 percent of young people in the UK failing to undertake the recommended level of one hour's physical activity each day.

Professor Kevin Fenton, Public Health England's director of health and wellbeing, said: "There are many complex factors that affect a child’s wellbeing … but there are also some very simple things we can all do every day with our children to help improve their health."

This comes as the government launches the latest phase of its Change4Life healthy living campaign, entitled Smart Restart.

It aims to establish healthier habits as children return to their studies for the new term and will be backed by extensive advertising, digital tools, email and text support, a mobile app and various partnership and public relations activities.