Screen time displaces active play, raising mental health risks for Argentine children

Excessive screen use is displacing active play, correlating with rising mental health and obesity risks among Argentine children. International research analyzing nearly 300,000 children confirms that high device usage negatively impacts emotional development. In the US, problematic phone and social media use increases suicide risk and sleep difficulties in pre-teens Source: Infobae.

In Argentina, the situation is acute. Over 45% of children aged 5–17 have insufficient physical activity, and the country has the second-highest youth obesity rate in Latin America at 16.9% Source: Infobae. Unicef notes that many children receive their first smartphone before age 10.

A recent study by Pulsar.UBA for the Club de Amigos surveyed 607 parents in Buenos Aires, revealing a significant gap between values and habits:

• 77% of families want their children to be more physically active.
• 78% believe screens steal time from active play.
• 93% value sports for healthy growth.
• Yet, only 29% consider school-provided activity sufficient Source: Clarín; Infobae.

The data shows a paradox: organized sports participation rises with age (from 31% in toddlers to 70% in older children), but unstructured daily movement drops sharply, falling below 50% for those aged 8–12 Source: Clarín. Experts warn that while screens aided learning during the pandemic, current excessive use persists despite parental concerns about limiting devices Source: Infobae.