It’s Not Necessarily Bad if Your Kid Spends Lots of Time Online. But Watch for These Warning Signs

Is “time” really the problem with “screen time”? Researchers have described the negative effects of large amounts of time online and the beneficial effect of moderation. For instance, a 2019 study of more than 6,500 12- to 15-year-olds found that more than three hours of social media use a day is linked to depressive symptoms, while a 2017 study suggested that moderate online gaming and interaction, around an hour a day, is protective against mental health symptoms.