By Joseph A. Curtatone

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

There’s no denying that technological advances have made many positive contributions in our communities and lives, but they have also radically changed the way we interact with each other and how much time we’re spending in front of screens. Time in front of electronics is increasingly replacing time spent on physical activity and movement, social and family interactions, and even sleep. And as screen time increases, physical and mental health tends to decrease. Most concerning though is that no group has felt the full effect of the digital wave more than our young people.

From a young age, tablets, video games, and smart phones are an ever-present part of daily life —and that’s on top of watching good old-fashioned TV.  Added up, total screen time statistics for kids are startling. Data from the American Academy of Pediatrics shows that today’s children are spending an average of seven hours per day on devices and entertainment media, which carries health risks. Locally, the numbers are better but still concerning.

Data from the 2016 high school Youth Risk Behavior Survey shows that half of Somerville High School students report playing video or computer games or using the computer for something other than school work for at least two hours per day. This includes Xbox, PlayStation, iPod/iPad/tablet, smartphone, YouTube/Facebook/other social networking tools, and the Internet. Additionally, 53 percent report spending at least two hours per day watching TV or videos. The middle school results are slightly higher with 55 percent of Somerville students who completed the 2017 middle school Youth Risk Behavior Survey reporting that they spend at least two hours each day watching TV or videos.

If accurate, the data above, which is self-reported by the students, may indicate our youth remain more active than average. But even three to four hours a day of recreational screen time on top of schoolwork screen time can still add up to notable consequences.

Higher levels of screen time put children, and people of all ages, at a higher risk for being overweight or obese due to being more sedentary. It also makes you less likely to have an interest in outdoor activity and exercise, more likely to get less sleep or poorer quality sleep, and more likely to overeat as a result of mindless snacking and higher exposure to junk food marketing. At the same time, excessive time in front of a computer, phone, tablet, or TV screen can also lead to being more prone to anxiety, depression, and even cyber bullying. Screen time can also lead to poor coping skills, being less confident in social in-person interactions, and adversely affected language development for younger children. If all of these consequences came in a box, my guess is most of us wouldn’t have it on our pantry shelves. But managing screen time is more challenging than simply not bringing a sugary snack home.

Parents and caregivers, of course, play an essential role in limiting screen time. Some strategies recommended by field experts include turning off all screens during family meals and at bedtime and keeping any devices with screens, including TVs, out of your children’s bedrooms. Make sure children have a variety of free-time activities, like spending time with friends and playing sports, and encourage them to take part. And finally, treat screen time as a privilege that needs to be earned, not as an entitled right.

As the Mayor of a city striving to ensure its children have the best opportunities and outcomes – and as a father of four – I recognize that this is an issue we must keep at the forefront of our community conversation.  We have to start thinking more deeply about how we can address screen time not just in our homes but more holistically at all levels in Somerville. Campaigns like the Somerville Family Learning Collaborative Talk campaign, which highlights the importance of talking and interacting with children of all ages, will continue to push this work forward.

We know that one of the best ways to decrease screen time is to seek out alternative activities, and Somerville has no shortage of them. The public libraries have not only an excellent selection of books (which are great replacements for screen time) but also a variety of programming for all ages, including upcoming activities and events for “Screen Free Week” from April 30 to May 6. Then there’s the option of exploring one of our vibrant squares, taking part in the fun at the city’s numerous festivals, renting some Blue Bikes (formerly known as Hubway), or heading to one of the regular free public skating sessions at Veteran’s Memorial Rink. What about visiting a park or open space? Did you know that 99 percent of Somerville residents live within a five-minute walk of some form of open space? Limit screen time and get to know our local parks with the Parks Pass during the Wellness Challenge beginning in May. You could even win a prize.

Whatever option you choose, let’s collectively work together to limit screen time and mitigate those harmful impacts for our youngest Somervillians. But remember, high levels of screen time impact us all, regardless of age, so let’s also challenge ourselves to lead by example.  In fact, if you’re reading this online, why not decide to sign off right now.