Kids’ Screen Habits Shifted After COVID, Study Finds

A new review shows that children and teens are spending more time on computers, phones, tablets and video games than they did before the pandemic. The only exception is television, which has been watched less over the last few years. Researchers sifted through 60 studies that covered kids up to age 19, from 1991 to 2022. Before COVID, the data were mixed: some devices saw more use, others stayed flat or dropped. After lockdowns eased, total screen time jumped for most kids. Older children and teenagers logged more hours than younger ones, likely because they use screens for socializing and schoolwork.Key findings: - Computers are used more, both for learning and leisure. - Video games have reached a peak in the post‑pandemic era. - Smartphones are now the go‑to device for most screen activities. - Fifteen out of twenty studies recorded higher overall screen time after the pandemic. - TV watching fell both on weekdays and weekends. Experts warn that increased screen time can hurt sleep, expose kids to cyberbullying, and push unrealistic beauty standards. They urge families, schools and governments to keep studying these trends and to create balanced digital habits for young people.