The physical and mental well-being of millions of kids is at risk from excess screen time, global data crunched for new Lancet papers warns — but researchers say they can't measure the true damage without tech companies' own user data.
Outside estimates only go so far. The precise dose-response — hours versus harm — sits on corporate servers in California. Researchers are effectively diagnosing through frosted glass.
Phones at the dinner table on Danforth, toddlers swiping before talking, teens whose moods track their screen hours. Nobody needed a journal to notice — but policy needs proof, and proof needs data the platforms won't share.
Until then: the science says less, earlier, and never at the table.
Sources: CBC News. Context from the Young Hadene newsroom.
New global research argues it may be — physical and mental well-being at risk.
Tech companies' own user data, needed to prove severity.