THE IMPACT OF SCREEN TIME ON THE HEALTH OF THE MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
Introduction. Modern children and teenagers are increasingly spending a significant amount of time in front of digital device screens, which is associated with lifestyle changes, the introduction of distance learning and digital entertainment. In recent decades, there has been a significant increase in the time spent by children and adolescents behind the screens of digital devices. This trend is accompanied by a decrease in physical activity and an increase in sedentary behavior, which raises concerns about the impact of such changes on the physical and mental health of the younger generation.
The purpose of this review article is to analyze current scientific evidence on the impact of sedentary behavior, in particular screen time, on various aspects of the health of children and adolescents.
Search strategy. The review of domestic and foreign publications, including systematic reviews, meta-analyses and cross-sectional studies published in the international databases PubMed and Scispace in the period from 2015 to 2024, is carried out. The selection includes studies examining associations between the length of screen time and the health parameters of children and adolescents.
The results show that excessive sedentary behavior is associated with an increased risk of neck and back pain, decreased bone density, impaired development of cognitive and social skills, and impaired psycho-emotional well-being. The analysis revealed a stable relationship between an increase in screen time and an increase in the frequency of neck and back pain, a decrease in bone density, the development of musculoskeletal disorders and cognitive and social impairments. Children of preschool and primary school age were particularly vulnerable. Regular use of digital devices for more than 2-3 hours a day was accompanied by statistically significant health impairments. The need to develop and implement preventive measures aimed at limiting screen time, increasing physical activity and developing healthy behavioral habits in children and adolescents is emphasized.
Conclusions. Sedentary behavior and excessive screen time have multifactorial negative effects on the health of children and adolescents. To minimize risks, it is necessary to implement preventive strategies, including limiting screen time, increasing physical activity, educating parents and teachers, and creating an ergonomically safe educational environment.
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Tuyebakhov M.D., Tekmanova A.К., Kussaiynova E.I., Beisenbinova Zh.B., Nurbakyt A.N., Maratbekova A., Khairullayeva N.Z., Apbassova S.A., Maukayeva S.B. The impact of screen time on the health of the musculoskeletal system in children and adolescents: a systematic review // Nauka i Zdravookhranenie [Science & Healthcare]. 2025. Vol.27 (5), pp. 214-222. doi 10.34689/SH.2025.27.5.025Related publications:
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THE IMPACT OF SCREEN TIME ON THE HEALTH OF THE MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW