CYSF

Presentation

Problem

How do screens affect kid's brains, mental health, social life and physical body.

Method

We think that screens are not the best that is our Hypothesis

We researched using multiple websites and first-hand data from Mr Wilson's grade 6 class we also asked 10 mental health experts.

We found that screens affected kids more than adults because their brains are younger and still developing.

Experts suggest that screen time should be limited to an hour or less per day for non-educational purposes. Screens are beneficial for educational purposes, like school, but it's best to avoid using them excessively.

Research

We did a non-experimental/ research project. We did a first-hand survey from Mr Wilson's grade 6 class to find out how much screen time kids get and how they feel afterward. We also asked 10 mental health experts how much screen time should be getting and how screen affects kids most.

We used literature to gather information from experts.

Screen time is the time spent on technology such as iPads, iPhones, TVs, PlayStations, Xbox, and computers. According to the Canadian Health Measures Survey, on average 76% of Canadians children aged 5-11 years old met the recommendations of no more that 2 hours of screen time per day.

Data

We learned that screen time affected kids physically, mentally, and socially from websites and experts so we gave a survey to them. We collected data from Mr. Wilson's grade 6 class by handing out surveys. From this survey, we found that kids get more than 3 hours of screen time and feel happy after. But they said 3 or more hours of screen time is too much. We also handed out surveys to 10 mental health experts. We asked them how much screen time kids should be getting and 8 answered no more than 1 hour and the other 2 said no more than 30 minutes. We asked them if screen time affects kids and all answered yes. Now I'm sure you're wondering what is the biggest area of effect. Well, our experts are here for that, 8 said mental is the biggest area and the other 2 said social.

We collected our data from trustworthy online resources and websites. Some of the physical effects are being overweight, eating too much junk food, poor posture muscle pain, and eye strain. Screen time mentally affects kids in these different ways, concentration, less sleep, less play, and violence can become normal to kids. We found it affects social behaviors as well like not knowing how to be a good friend, not spending enough time with friends and family, not spending enough time outside, and doing worse in school.

We also researched the brain and found out that kids' brains are more affected by screens than adults' brains. Did you know screens are changing the structure of our brains and the way we think and focus? Because kids' brains are not fully developed yet screens are more damaging for kids than adults. More than 3 hours of screen time that's not for school can be damaging your brain. This can cause a lack of attention and focus anxiety, bad mood, sadness, or even depression.

The brain is made up of two matters:

White matter connects the different parts of your brain and sends messages.
Gray matter processes information and helps plan, focus, and controls feelings.
Gray matter shrinks in front of screens which causes poor focus and decision making.

Conclusion

We found that screen time affects kids in a few ways, physically, socially, and mentally. It also changes how your brain grows. A lot of kids say that screen time is ok. We learned that screen time is not the best but ok as long as you don't have too much.

Tips for keeping your brain heathy when on screens.

Keep screens in common spaces
Don’t eat when watching
Watch together
Choose video games that encourage physical activity.
Have good posture
Take breaks
Have good lights
dim your lights at least one hour before going to bed and then put them in a different room
Get 150 minutes of physical activity or 75 minutes of exercise a week