Screens Are Not the Enemy: Recommendations for Developing Healthy Digital Habits in Youth.

With the rapid and ever-evolving growth of both digital media platforms and mental health concerns in youth, parents and practitioners are faced with the challenge of critically evaluating the effects of digital media use on youth development.1 Despite popular culture's narrow focus on the risks, research has established both positive and negative effects of youth digital media use.2,3 In contrast to interventions primarily focused on screen time limits, the goal of this article is to propose a framework for healthy digital habits rooted in a social-ecological model, called the Multisystemic Model of Digital Habits. This framework considers the intersection of the digital environment, family environment, and individual factors when examining digital media use by youth. Using this framework, practical recommendations are offered, including strategies to evaluate media use and guidance on encouraging healthy digital habits with consideration for unique family and individual needs.

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Journal
PubMed
Published
2025-08-11
Primary Topic
Child Development and Digital Technology
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Screens Are Not the Enemy: Recommendations for Developing Healthy Digital Habits in Youth.

Gail C. Robertson, Megan B. Bolch, Libby Matile Milkovich, Rachel M. Moore et al.
PubMed
Child Development and Digital Technology
article

Screens Are Not the Enemy: Recommendations for Developing Healthy Digital Habits in Youth.

Gail C. Robertson, Megan B. Bolch, Libby Matile Milkovich, Rachel M. Moore, Meredith J Scafe
article en

Abstract

With the rapid and ever-evolving growth of both digital media platforms and mental health concerns in youth, parents and practitioners are faced with the challenge of critically evaluating the effects of digital media use on youth development.1 Despite popular culture's narrow focus on the risks, research has established both positive and negative effects of youth digital media use.2,3 In contrast to interventions primarily focused on screen time limits, the goal of this article is to propose a framework for healthy digital habits rooted in a social-ecological model, called the Multisystemic Model of Digital Habits. This framework considers the intersection of the digital environment, family environment, and individual factors when examining digital media use by youth. Using this framework, practical recommendations are offered, including strategies to evaluate media use and guidance on encouraging healthy digital habits with consideration for unique family and individual needs.

PubMedVol. 122(4)
Children's Mercy Hospital (US), University of Missouri–Kansas City (US)
Sid W. Richardson Foundation
Openalex Percentile: Top 78%
Child Development and Digital Technology
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