BUILDINGS, MAINTENANCE & REFURBISHMENT
Mitigating screen time effects for children in schools using biophilic architecture principles
It’s a known fact that for all of us, too much screen time can result in adverse effects. Here, SIMONE CONTI, senior project lead – education at Arcadis, discusses how the built environment - and, more specifically, biophilic design - can be used to alleviate these effects.
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n our increasingly digital world, where screens dominate both educational and recreational spheres, the adverse effects of excessive screen time on children’s physical and mental health have become a growing concern.
However, amid this digital flood, biophilic architecture emerges as a beacon of hope, a design philosophy that reconnects children with nature within their educational environments, potentially mitigating the detrimental impacts of long screen time. We can also call it: Mirror Architecture.
The rise of screen time in education Recent studies indicate that children spend a significant portion of their waking hours engaged with screens. By the age of eight years old, a child typically spends over two and a half hours online daily, a figure that increases to more than four hours by early adolescence. Schools, recognising the educational benefits and practical necessities
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of digital tools, have integrated technology into everyday learning experiences, from digital whiteboards to laptops and tablets. While these technological advancements offer undeniable advantages, they also bring challenges. Prolonged screen exposure has been linked to a host of issues including decreased attention spans, disrupted sleep patterns, and heightened levels of stress and anxiety. Recognising these concerns, educational institutions are increasingly seeking holistic solutions that balance technological integration with the natural needs of developing minds. Excessive screen exposure has been associated with physical health issues like obesity and musculoskeletal problems, as well as cognitive and emotional challenges including decreased social skills and an increased risk of mental health disorders. The human body was not prepared to cope with the exponential increase in time spent using digital screens.
March 2025
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