More than 60% of U.S. children aged 12-15 years watched TV for 2 or more hours a day in 2012, and over 40% used a computer for at least 2 hours daily, according to a report from the National Center of Health Statistics.
Nearly all participants reported using the TV at least once a day, and 91% used a computer outside of school in 2012. The NCHS found that 64% of youth aged 12-15 years used the TV for 2 or more hours a day, while 43% used a computer outside of school for 2 or more hours daily. Almost 7% used a TV for 5 or more hours a day, and 5% used a computer for at least 5 hours daily.
There was no statistical difference between boys and girls who watched TV for 2 or more hours per day or in overall screen time, the NCHS said, but significantly more boys than girls reported using the computer outside of school more than 2 hours daily.
The NCHS report was based on data collected in 2012 for the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and the NHANES National Youth Fitness Survey.
