Copenhagen, Denmark — Children and teenagers who spend long hours glued to phones, tablets, or television screens may face an increased risk of developing heart and metabolic diseases, a new Danish study warns.
The research, conducted by the University of Copenhagen and published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, followed over 1,000 children aged 10 and 18. It found that greater screen time was closely linked with heightened cardiometabolic risk factors — including high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels, and insulin resistance — all of which are early warning signs for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
Lead author David Horner explained that even one extra hour of screen time per day was associated with a measurable increase in risk. “This means a child with three extra hours of screen time a day would have roughly a quarter to half a standard-deviation higher risk than their peers,” Horner said. “Multiply that across a whole population of children, and you’re looking at a meaningful shift in early cardiometabolic risk that could carry into adulthood.”
While researchers remain divided on the full scope of long-term harm caused by screen exposure, the study adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that children and adolescents are more vulnerable than adults. The findings underscore the importance of balancing screen time with physical activity and adequate sleep to support long-term health.
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