A position paper managing youth screen time versus physical activity: encouraging active living in a technological focussed generation

Childhood obesity is becoming increasingly prolific and problematic. Contributors to childhood obesity include decreased levels of physical activity and increased sedentary behaviour. Screen-based entertainment may be an important factor in the development of childhood obesity as children and adolescents prefer to spend time using electronic devices than exercising. While it is difficult to encourage children to cease playing video games, it is possible to change these passive screens to active ones. Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have been utilized by academics and researchers to promote levels of physical activity among young people. This position paper is part of our continuous research into the use of technology in the facilitation and motivation of children to be more physically active. This paper presents the "MySteps" framework that has been developed to manage youth screen time and exercise performance statistics. By developing technology-based solutions, we intend to increase children and adolescents awareness of their levels of physical activity and screen time. Consequently, self-monitoring and management of screen time and physical activity levels may lead to more active living beginning at an early age and continuing in life.