New MSU study says screen time benefits kids
LANSING, Mich. (WILX) – A new Michigan State University study is looking at the relationship between screen time and academic achievement.
Researchers found that adolescents who play video games, scroll on social media, and participate in online activities are learning digital media skills and can do better in school.
“Understanding [the] benefits, not only within educational activities on the internet but also socializing…. Learning how to experiment, be creative, and teach yourself things… that you can put into everyday life and schooling,” said Co-author Gabriel Hale.
Gabriel Hales is a Ph.D. candidate and co-author of the study. He says students without unstructured online leisure time are falling behind.
“They actually perform worse than students who have full access or have parents that are maybe more instructive, they teach them how to use the internet, they teach them [how to be safe on the internet],” said Hales.
The study results also show a gender disparity between boys and girls.
When looking at SAT scores, girls normally perform higher on reading and writing, and boys perform better in math and science. But, since boys have a broader online presence, they are performing better overall.
“As a result, boys actually compensated for that gender disparity. And so their scores improved if they had higher digital skills and higher screen time in certain media activities,” said Hales.
Rose Columbia is the mother of a 9-year-old girl, who has access to the online world.
“She does math games on there. She does Roblox with her friends. She [watches] YouTube channels [and movies] once in a while,” said Columbia.
She says she is very cautious about what her daughter does online but thinks it’s important for her to learn how to use it.
“A lot of [my concerns come from the] social media creepers out there,” said Columbia. “I think our kids need to learn [how to use social media safely] now so they’re not struggling when they’re getting older.”
Hales emphasized moderation when setting restrictions for your kids. And to keep an eye on the content they are consuming, to make sure it isn’t damaging to their mental health.
The researchers say parents and policymakers concerned about screen time should take a deeper look at the benefits, such as improved social skills and creativity.
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