Unplugged: Empowering Families to Balance Screen Time & Healthy Living
Work Type
Poster
Abstract
Public Health Issue
Growing digital exposure has led to a concerning rise in screen time among children, which is associated with a range of negative health outcome including obesity, behavioral challenges, poor sleep, and reduced physical activity. As outdoor play declines and reliance on technology for entertainment increases, children’s overall well-being is increasingly at risk.
- World Health Organization (WHO) advises against any screen time in children under 1 year of age and limiting screen time to less than one hour per day for those aged 2-4 years old.
- American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends parents guide and monitor technology use to ensure it is age appropriate.
Significance
Excessive screen time is a modifiable risk factor linked to long-term physical and mental health challenges. By promoting realistic, family-centered strategies, this project supports behavior change that encourages physical activity and strengthens family connections.
Project Overview:
Unplugged: Empowering Families to Balance Screen Time & Healthy Living is a public health initiative designed to educate families on the risks of excessive screen use and promote sustainable, healthy routines.
Guiding Question:
How can families be empowered to reduce screen time and promote outdoor activity in an engaging, achievable way?
Publication Date
5-16-2025
Citation Information
Whitehill, Kaitlyn, "Unplugged: Empowering Families to Balance Screen Time & Healthy Living" (2025). Student Works Physician Assistant. 108.
https://digitalcommons.dmu.edu/stu_pa/108