A new study has raised serious concerns about the long-term health impact of excessive screen time on children, linking it to increased risks of heart disease and Type 2 diabetes.
Published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, the research analyzed data from over 1,000 children aged 10 to 18, focusing on their screen time and sleep habits. The findings suggest that even one extra hour of daily screen exposure can significantly raise cardiometabolic risk factors—such as high blood pressure, insulin resistance, and elevated cholesterol.
Every Hour Matters
Lead researcher David Horner from the University of Copenhagen warned that the health impact compounds with each additional hour of screen time.
“A child with three extra hours of screen use daily could have up to half a standard-deviation higher risk compared to peers,” Horner said. “Scaled to a population level, this presents a real public health concern.”
Sleep and Sedentary Lifestyle Add to the Risk
The study also found that screen time disrupts sleep—another contributor to poor metabolic health. Poor sleep, combined with low physical activity, can accelerate the onset of lifestyle-related illnesses in younger populations.
Key Recommendations
Health experts advise the following steps to mitigate risks:
- Limit non-academic screen time to under two hours daily
- Encourage regular physical activity
- Establish consistent and healthy sleep routines
- Promote device-free time, especially before bedtime
Global Concern, Local Urgency
With screen habits rising globally—including in countries like Pakistan and across South Asia—the findings highlight the urgent need for early intervention. Public awareness campaigns, school programs, and parental guidance are crucial in preventing a future spike in youth-related heart and metabolic conditions.
