screen time

A major new study reported by the Guardian finds that high screen usage in children is linked to poorer developmental outcomes. Researchers suggest the effect of elevated screen exposure could be as significant as parental behaviour and premature birth. The findings add weight to ongoing concerns among parents, educators and health experts about how much time children spend on phones, tablets and other devices.

A large global study has examined how screen time affects children's wellbeing, according to reporting carried by Yahoo News New Zealand. The findings address an ongoing debate among parents, educators and health researchers over how digital device use shapes children's mental and physical health. Details of the study's size, methodology and conclusions were not included in the available report.

A new survey finds 8 in 10 people aged 16 to 34 believe their smartphone use harms their everyday life. The figure, reported in the Netherlands, points to growing concern among young adults about screen time, attention, sleep and wellbeing, even as phones remain central to work and social life.

UF Health researchers report that cancer diagnoses in the United States drop sharply during holiday periods, while outcomes for patients diagnosed around those dates are worse. The findings suggest holiday disruptions delay screenings and follow-up care, allowing cancers to be caught at later, harder-to-treat stages, and raise questions about how seasonal healthcare patterns affect patient survival.

A newly published book argues that digital screens are driving growing social disconnection, examining how constant device use reshapes relationships, attention and everyday face-to-face interaction. The work adds to ongoing public debate about the psychological and social costs of screen time, joining a wider wave of recent writing on technology's effects on community and mental health.

Singapore's National Library Board is offering micropayments to encourage people to read more books and spend less time on their phones. The programme aims to build reading habits by rewarding users directly, prompting debate online about whether small financial incentives can genuinely change behaviour or trivialise the value of reading.

A film starring Denzel Washington described as 'masterfully executed' is being broadcast on BBC tonight, according to the Liverpool Echo. The actor, one of Hollywood's most decorated stars and a two-time Oscar winner, is drawing attention as viewers look up details about the screening and which of his films is being shown.

Warner Bros. and HBO have set a summer 2029 theatrical release date for 'Aegon's Conquest', the first feature film set in the 'Game of Thrones' universe. The film is expected to dramatize the Targaryen conquest of Westeros, expanding the franchise from television to the big screen for the first time.

A student newspaper column argues for digital minimalism — deliberately reducing screen time and digital clutter — as a response to growing dependence on smartphones, social media and constant connectivity. The piece reflects a broader cultural conversation about stepping back from technology to improve focus, mental health and in-person relationships, even as daily life becomes harder to manage without connected devices.

Dr Gaurav Batra, Principal Consultant Neurosurgeon at Yashoda Medicity in Indirapuram, Ghaziabad, spoke to HT Lifestyle about whether excessive smartphone use could contribute to health problems. He addressed concerns including fragmented attention, disturbed sleep and recurrent headaches, adding medical perspective to the growing public debate over heavy screen time and its effects on daily wellbeing.

German broadcaster Martina Eßer has presented her last show on WDR, bidding farewell to viewers, as reported by the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger. The Cologne-based public broadcaster is a fixture of regional television in North Rhine-Westphalia, so the departure of a familiar host has drawn attention from local audiences reflecting on her time on screen.

Drug Discovery News examines why regulatory screening often takes place only after a product's formulation, or 'recipe', is already complete. The piece raises questions about the timing of safety and compliance checks in food and drug development, pointing to a process where ingredients are combined first and vetted against regulations afterwards, which critics see as inefficient and potentially risky.

A new expert guide to modern digital parenting has been published, offering advice on how parents can manage children's screen time, online safety, and social media use. The topic reflects ongoing concern among families about how much time children spend on devices and how to protect them from online risks.

Apple's iPhone battery life metrics are under the spotlight, with fresh attention on how estimates like screen-on time, charge cycles, and maximum capacity are calculated and what they actually tell users. The discussion highlights the gap between Apple's official figures and real-world performance, and how Battery Health readings change over time with daily charging habits.

Attention is turning to how young South Korean children are when they first begin using smartphones, with reports highlighting exposure starting in the toddler years. The topic has fuelled wider debate about screen time, child development and parenting habits in one of the world's most connected countries.

Edmund Elias Merhige's 1989 experimental horror film 'Begotten,' known for its grainy, unsettling imagery, is back in the conversation with a restoration screening at New York's IFC Center, covered by the New York Times. The piece captures the shock the film still delivers, with viewers left rubbing their eyes in disbelief at its raw, wordless visual style.

A Game of Thrones movie titled 'Aegon's Conquest' will arrive in theaters in summer 2029, according to the Los Angeles Times. The film would mark the franchise's first big-screen outing, adapting the story of Aegon Targaryen's conquest of Westeros. Fans are reacting to the long wait and to the series returning after mixed reception of later seasons and spin-offs.

A new date has been announced for a Leipzig screening of the documentary 'Ghost in the Machine' (USA 2026, 110 minutes, FSK 12), directed by Valerie Veatch. The film, shown in English with English subtitles, is described as an investigative documentary exploring the hidden history of artificial intelligence. It screens on 17 October at 18:30, and locals are being informed of the rescheduled showing.

New research suggests that the amount of time young children spend looking at screens affects their developmental outcomes on a similar scale to major risk factors such as growing up in poverty or being born prematurely. The findings are prompting debate among parents and child development experts about how much screen use is safe in early childhood and whether clearer official guidance is needed.

France's data protection authority CNIL is drawing attention to children's screen use and digital protection, directing parents to resources on its 'Beyond the Screen' page. The campaign offers guidance for families on managing young people's exposure to screens and protecting them online, and is being shared widely in French-language education and parenting circles.

Streaming platforms that built their businesses on music and television are increasingly adding video games to their offerings, raising the question of whether gaming is becoming a core part of their strategy rather than an experiment. Industry commentary suggests entertainment companies see interactive content as a way to keep subscribers engaged and attract new audiences as competition for screen time intensifies.

The New York Times has published a recap of Ted Lasso Season 4, Episode 9, titled 'The Circle of Life'. The episode's themes are being broken down for viewers following its latest airing. The article examines what happened on screen and how it fits into the season's larger arc.

SwitchBot looks set to launch a new smart home hub called the AI Hub Show, which may include a built-in display. The find comes from an analysis of the company's Android and iOS apps, where references to the unreleased device were uncovered. Details such as pricing and release timing are not yet known.

An update has emerged on the status of a planned sequel to 'The Love Hypothesis', the film adaptation of Ali Hazelwood's bestselling romance novel. The news confirms where the follow-up project stands in its development. Fans of the original book and its screen adaptation are closely watching for further details on casting and release timing.