Typical teenagers spend more than 8.5 hours per day with screen media. For teenagers who describe themselves as “enjoying screen-based media a lot,” their favorite activities include watching online videos and playing video games. If we could influence teens to choose between video games and online videos, which would be a better, healthier, more digitally nutritious activity?
Online video-watching has become an increasingly prominent component of teens’ media consumption since the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the most recent survey from Common Sense Media, in 2019, teenagers spent an average of 7 hours and 20 minutes daily on television, online videos, video games, social media, browsing websites, creating content, reading, and other digital activities. By 2021, towards the end of the pandemic, daily media time had increased to 8 hours and 39 minutes.
It is important to note that these 8.5 hours may not be exclusive to screen time, as teens could be multitasking, such as doing homework (which many parents have observed), eating, or even using multiple screens simultaneously. Nonetheless, 8.5 hours per day, when added to a typical seven-hour school day and (hopefully) eight hours of sleep, leaves very little time for anything else (Rideout, 2022).
Before discussing whether video game screen time or online video screen time is superior, it’s important to recognize the difficulties in making such comparisons. First, there are many other forms of screen-based media not being compared, most notably social media, which research suggests can be detrimental to the mental health of teenage girls (Twenge et al., 2022). Secondly, not all video games or online videos are created equal. Some games engage cognitive skills, encourage interaction with peers, and serve as a form of play that practices social skills and problem-solving. Conversely, some games are excessively violent, negatively portray women and minorities, or are designed to be so addictive that teens sacrifice sleep.
Online videos offer opportunities to learn life skills, such as cooking and repairing household items, and they can promote empathy and prosocial activities. Informational videos may help teenagers learn about health-related issues, and educational videos often assist with homework or teach new skills and hobbies.
Conversely, many videos expose teens to harmful and risk-taking behavior, including suicide, substance abuse, and dangerous activities. Algorithms that continually generate new videos to watch often expose teens to unwanted content. Fortunately, many teens are beginning to recognize that they are being manipulated. And they don’t like it!
Due to the increasing volume and accessibility of online videos, the American Psychological Association recently released its Recommendations for Healthy Teen Video Viewing (2024). Some of the most valuable recommendations include limiting access to violent portrayals and content that reinforces negative stereotypes while encouraging content with positive, prosocial themes. Helping teens choose content that is reliable, accurate, and from trusted sources is strongly recommended.
At the same time, parents are encouraged to help teens recognize the power, motivations, and opinions of online influencers. Perhaps most importantly, parents should regularly engage with their teenagers about their media choices. Parents can help their teens by modeling, discussing, educating, and evaluating the role of video games, online videos, and other screen-based media in their lives.
However, influencing teens’ use of screen-based media, even nudging them towards one video versus another, is often quite tricky. Many parents attempt to monitor their children’s access to games and screen time, but as children become teenagers, it becomes difficult to be fully aware of what they do on their phones. In the United States, 95 percent of teenagers have access to a smartphone (Anderson, 2024). This means it is imperative that parents engage in discussions around appropriate screen time activities, the amount of time spent watching videos and playing video games, and recognizing the risks of online activities. Perhaps even more critical is modeling appropriate screen time behavior!
If parents could give their teens free access to play video games or watch online videos, I would steer them towards gaming rather than videos. The uncertainty and manipulation of content in online videos make them more dangerous than the limited confines of video games. Parents generally have more access to monitoring video game play, as much of it occurs on computers or consoles at home. Willing parents can also join their teens in video game play. It’s much easier for a parent to ask their teen what video games they are playing than to know about videos that pop up in their teen’s feed, prompted by algorithms designed to keep them online.
Parents and an increasing number of aware teenagers are concerned that their media use is out of their control. They are fighting a tough battle against large media companies that earn money by keeping people engaged on their screens as much as possible. This battle requires enlisting teens as active participants rather than passive consumers. Parents and educators need to step up and engage with teens about the role of video games, online videos, and other screen activities.
Here are some research-based recommendations:
1. Set Clear Boundaries: Establish clear rules around screen time, including limits on the duration and timing of use. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no more than two hours of recreational screen time per day for teens.
2. Encourage Balanced Activities: Encourage teens to engage in a variety of activities, including physical exercise, reading, and socializing in person to ensure a balanced lifestyle. Aim towards helping your teens achieve a healthy and balanced “Play Diet.”
3. Promote Critical Thinking: Teach teens to critically evaluate the content they consume, understanding the motivations behind media messages and the potential impact on their behavior and beliefs.
4. Foster Open Communication: Maintain an open dialogue about the content they are accessing, creating an environment where teens feel comfortable discussing what they watch and play.
5. Model Healthy Habits: Demonstrate healthy screen habits yourself, showing that you prioritize offline activities and relationships.