A MODERATE amount of ‘screen time’ may not be as bad as first thought for teenagers’ wellbeing, according to research by Oxford scientists.

The Oxford University study analysed the links between well-being and the time spent on digital devices and computers.

It found that there was a point between low and high use considered ‘just right’ for teenagers, where their sense of well-being is boosted by having moderate amounts of screen time.

More than moderate time can be linked with a negative effect on well-being, but researchers estimate this had a ‘small’ effect at one per cent or less – equivalent to one third of the positive effect on well-being of a good night’s sleep or regularly eating breakfast.

The findings of the study, carried out jointly with Cardiff University, suggests that weekday video game play should be limited to 1 hour and 40 minutes while smartphone use should be kept to just under two hours.

Researchers are terming the results as the Goldilocks theory, after the fairytale of the same name.

Lead author Dr Andrew Przybylski, of the Oxford Internet Institute at the University of Oxford, said: ‘Overall we found that modern use of digital technology is not intrinsically harmful and may have advantages in a connected world unless digital devices are overused or interfere with schoolwork or afterschool activities.

“Our research suggests that some connectivity is probably better than none and there are moderate levels that as in the story of Goldilocks are 'just right' for young people.”