How Horses Help Reduce Kids’ Cell Phone and Social Media Usage
By Scott Derby
As a parent, you have undoubtedly noticed that your children spend much of their time on their smartphones, tablets, and laptops. Perhaps, you may think, an exorbitant amount of their time. You are hardly alone, as this concern is consistently provided by parents today as one of the greatest concerns for their children’s wellbeing.
In fact, it is well-established that excess smartphone use can be detrimental to children’s development in several significant ways: 
- Behavioral problems: Research has found that routine and frequent use of mobile devices is associated with behavioral problems in childhood. Children who excessively use smartphones may exhibit more emotional and behavioral issues[1][3].
- Sleep disruption: The blue light emitted by smartphone screens interferes with melatonin production, disrupting children’s sleep patterns. Poor sleep can lead to moodiness, difficulty focusing, and decreased academic performance[4].
- Reduced physical activity: Excessive smartphone use often leads to a sedentary lifestyle, increasing the risk of obesity and related health issues. It can also negatively impact posture, potentially causing pain in the shoulders, back, and neck[4].
- Social isolation and impaired social skills: Frequent smartphone use can hinder face-to-face social interactions, crucial for developing communication and interpersonal skills. This may lead to underdeveloped social skills and emotional intelligence, affecting children into adulthood[3][4].
- Mental health challenges: Studies have shown that children who spend more time on digital technology are more likely to experience internalizing problems such as depression, anxiety, and social anxiety. Excessive screen time is also associated with lower self-esteem and increased risk of cyberbullying[4].
- Cognitive development: Overuse of smartphones may impair children’s development of skills needed for learning math and science. It can also negatively impact academic performance by diverting attention from classroom learning[2].
- Eye strain and discomfort: While permanent eye damage hasn’t been conclusively proven, prolonged smartphone use can cause digital eye strain, leading to symptoms like pain, blurred vision, headaches, and dry eyes[2].
- Addiction and impulse control: Excessive smartphone use can lead to addictive behaviors and difficulties in self-regulation, potentially hindering the development of healthy impulse control[1][4].
To mitigate these negative effects, it’s crucial for parents to guide and manage their children’s smartphone usage, setting appropriate time limits and encouraging alternative activities that promote physical, social, and cognitive development.
While there aren’t any direct studies specifically linking horse riding to reduced screen time in children, there is evidence suggesting that horseback riding and related activities can indirectly contribute to less screen time. Here are some of those ways:
- Alternative outdoor activity: Horseback riding provides an engaging outdoor activity that can naturally reduce time spent on screens.
- Physical and cognitive benefits: Studies have shown that horseback riding improves children’s cognitive abilities, including their performance in Go/No-go tasks and arithmetic problem-solving. These benefits may make horseback riding a more appealing activity for children compared to screen time. Several studies have demonstrated the positive effects of horseback riding on children’s cognitive abilities.
- Improved self-esteem and confidence: Horse riding has been found to boost children’s self-esteem and confidence. This increased self-assurance may reduce the need for validation through social media or other screen-based activities.
- Enhanced scholastic achievements: Research indicates that horse riding can improve a child’s cognitive ability, potentially leading to better academic performance. This improvement might motivate parents and children to prioritize riding over excessive screen time.
- Reduced anxiety: Studies have shown that equine-assisted therapies can help reduce anxiety in children. As screen time is often used as a coping mechanism for anxiety, having an alternative stress-reducing activity like horse riding could naturally decrease reliance on screens.
- Time management: The responsibilities associated with horse care and riding lessons can help structure a child’s day, potentially leaving less free time for excessive screen use.
While these points suggest that horseback riding could contribute to reduced screen time, it’s important to note that there is no direct study establishing this link. Parents would still need to actively manage and set limits on their children’s screen time, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Horseback riding and other engaging outdoor activities can be part of a balanced approach to reducing screen time and promoting overall well-being in children.
Citations:
[1] https://www.cune.edu/news/examining-effect-smartphones-child-development
[2] https://sherwoodhigh.com/blogs/5-harmful-effects-of-smartphones-on-the-development-of-your-child/
[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6059409/
[5] https://innohealthmagazine.com/2019/well-being/effects-mobile-phones/
[6] https://www.parent.com/blogs/conversations/2017-horse-riding-can-improve-childrens-cognitive-ability
[7] https://blog.springtimeinc.com/childrens-cognitive-abilities-enhanced-by-horseback-riding/
