Criticism #2: Why Would We Encourage More Screen Time?

In my previous blog discussing Criticism #1, “Just go outside and play”, I mentioned the average person spends over 40 hours of sedentary time a week in front of some sort of screen (TV’s, computers, video games, iPods, cell phones, etc.). Recommendations suggest that time spent on sedentary recreational screen activities should not exceed 2 hours per day. Obviously, the average individual spends more time in front of the screen than recommended, and a good portion of screen time is spent playing video games. Why is this an issue? Amongst many, a main concern is that this time spent in front of screens is sedentary. Globally, as sedentary screen time has increased, so have the obesity levels. So, do you want the good news or bad news first?

One thing experts are more than confident about: Screens are not going away! Not only are they not going away; but, more engaging upgrades, cooler graphics, and appealing features to the previous screen-based products continue to evolve. The battle of getting children away from screens is going to be a long and difficult one. Screens are here to stay.

Now entering the positive zone:

Exergaming, the genre of active games related to video game play and exercise, makes sedentary screen time more active. Exergaming is not intended to add or promote additional screen time for individuals. Exergaming should be considered a replacement for the sedentary time already spent in front of a screen. Therefore, using active gaming is not promoting additional sedentary screen time. In fact, due to the already known benefits that physical activity provides, promoting active screen time may encourage individuals to then want to become more voluntarily active away from the screen.

Additionally, if you were given two options: 1)Children refuse to be active outside and due to a variety of reasons stay inside to play; a large portion of that time is spent in front of a screen watching television or on computer play or video game play; or 2)Children agree or even choose to become physically active by playing an active video game instead of engaging in traditional sedentary behaviors. Which would you choose to promote?

Bottom line, if they are going to use screens anyway, why not make it active?