Children who spend SIX hours a day watching TV or playing computing games are ‘not harming themselves’ if they exercise

KIDS who spend up to six hours a day playing computer games or watching TV are not harming themselves, say experts.

And as long as children get sufficient exercise there is no need for parents to cut down their screen time, a study claims.

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Psychologists in Florida who studied more than 6,000 teenagers found the link between prolonged computer or TV use and high levels of depression and delinquency was tiny.

Dr Christopher Ferguson said: “Data from the current study suggests children are resilient to screen consumption for up to six hours daily.

“When negative outcomes were noted these were very small and affected males more.”

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The average amount of screen time amongst youngster, including smartphone use averages out at seven to eight hours per day.

Dr Ferguson said spending long periods in front of a screen would only affect physical well-being if it stopped teenagers from exercising.

He added: “If recommendations for physical activity are met, screen time, even if considerable, no longer predicts obesity.”

Dr Ferguson said efforts to limit screen time were unrealistic.

He said: “Setting narrow limits may not keep up with the ways screens are essential to modern life.”