The study also showed through opinion questionnaires distributed to children’s parents, that engaging in activities other than spending hours in front of smart devices contributed to raising levels of optimism, happiness and life satisfaction, as those were able to better control their emotions.
Vergara commented on the results of the study, saying: "I encourage parents to try to set some limits around the use of smart devices, and to motivate children to engage in sports or mental and artistic activities. Practicing sports improves the mental health of children and contributes to improving their academic achievement".
Vergara stressed the need to work to ensure that children have access to sports and technical facilities at an acceptable cost, which will contribute to supporting the less affluent classes to direct their children to engage in such activities.
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The study, conducted by researchers from the University of South Australia, said that children who play sports, take music lessons or socialize with their friends after school are happier and healthier than those who stay glued to the screens of smart devices.
The study, whose results were published in the journal BMC Pediatrics, included more than 62,000 children aged between 4 and 9 years, according to the UPI news agency.
The study led by researcher Rosa Vergara concluded that children who played video games, watched television and used social media after school had poorer health compared to those who engaged in sports and art activities.
The study also showed through opinion questionnaires distributed to children’s parents, that engaging in activities other than spending hours in front of smart devices contributed to raising levels of optimism, happiness and life satisfaction, as those were able to better control their emotions.
Vergara commented on the results of the study, saying: “I encourage parents to try to put some restrictions around the use of smart devices, and motivate children to engage in sports or mental and artistic activities. Exercise improves the mental health of children and contributes to improving their academic achievement.”
Vergara stressed the need to work to ensure that children have access to sports and technical facilities at an acceptable cost, which will contribute to supporting the less affluent classes to direct their children to engage in such activities.