According to a study, excessive exposure to blue light, emitting from smartphones or tablets, may lead to early puberty and accelerated bone growth in children.
A recent study conducted in Turkey has suggested that children who spend time more than six hours a day staring at computer or computer could be more likely to enter puberty with accelerated bone growth.
The findings, presented at the 62nd Annual European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology Meeting in Liverpool, highlight a potential link between blue light, accelerated bone growth, and increased bone age. This study is the first to explore this connection, emphasizing the need for moderated screen time to safeguard children’s hormonal health and development.
Lead researcher Dr. Aylin Ugurlu of Gazi University in Turkey stated, “This is the first study to show how blue light could potentially influence physical growth and development, prompting further research into the effects of modern screen exposure on children’s growth.”
He also said, “as the study was conducted in rats, we cannot be sure that these findings would be replicated in children but our data suggest that prolonged exposure to blue light accelerates both the physical growth and maturation of the growth plate, leading to early puberty.
The research was conducted on 36 rats (18 male and 18 female) aged 21 days old, divided into three groups. They were exposed to either a normal light cycle, six hours, or 12 hours of blue light daily until the first signs of puberty.
Ugurlu emphasized the need for additional research, saying, “This means their bones matured too early, which could potentially cause them to be shorter than average as adults.”
How can we limit it?
- Children under two should not use screens.
- Screen Time Management: Experts recommend limiting screen time for children to one or two hours per day.
- Encouraging Outdoor Activities: Bone development and a healthy hormonal balance require regular exercise and exposure to sunlight.
- Parental Guidance: Monitoring the type of content children consume is equally important.
Limiting screen time helps parents keep a closer eye on what their children are experiencing on social media and the internet.
This study raises critical concerns about the long-term effects of technology on children’s health and development, emphasizing the need for balanced screen usage and a healthy lifestyle.
