In a new study, researchers found a fact. Whether it's sports practice, music lessons or a usual catch- up with friends, when children are doing after- school activities, they may feel happier and healthier than those who always look at a screen.
What's more, children's happiness improved when they joined in after- school activities, while things were completely ▲ when they spent time on social media (媒体) or playing video games.
The researchers studied 61,759 school students from Grade Four to Grade Nine. They worked out how many days every week children joined in after- school activities from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Then they compared the number to well- being factors (幸福的因素 ) like satisfaction, sadness and worry.
Lead researcher Dr. Rosa Virgara said the research showed how some out- of- school activities can improve children's happiness, while others, especially screens, can be bad for their mental(精神上的) and physical health." Screens are a big distraction(分散注意力的事物) for children of all ages. Whether children are playing games, watching TV or using social media, there is something about all screens that hurts their happiness," she said.
The study also showed that even children who were already happy also benefited (得益于) from joining in after- school activities." This shows that there is a big need to find ways to encourage children of all ages and backgrounds to join in activities that keep them away from TVs, computers and smart phones," Dr. Rosa Virgara said.
