Supporting Teen Health: From Screen Time to Sports Safety

The teenage years bring rapid growth, increasing independence and plenty of exciting change — but they also come with unique health challenges.

Small practical habits can make a real difference to a teenager's physical and mental wellbeing and it's something I talk about regularly with families at Bulli Medical Practice.

Screen Time

Current Australian guidelines including those from the RACGP recommend limiting recreational screen time to no more than two hours per day for teenagers. Excessive use has been linked to poorer sleep, reduced concentration, headaches, eye strain and worsening mental health.

Evening screen use is particularly problematic as it suppresses melatonin production and delays sleep onset. Teenagers need 8–10 hours of sleep each night yet many are chronically sleep deprived. Removing devices from bedrooms overnight and avoiding screens for at least one hour before bed are simple but effective strategies.

Physical Activity and Sports Safety

Australian guidelines recommend at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity every day for teenagers. Organised sport supports cardiovascular fitness, bone strength, coordination and mental wellbeing. However sprains, overuse injuries and concussion remain common in adolescents.

Proper warm-ups, good hydration, adequate recovery days and appropriate protective equipment all help to reduce injury risk. Any teenager with a suspected concussion should be removed from play immediately and assessed by a GP before returning to sport.

Why Regular GP Visits Matter

Regular check-ups give us the opportunity to monitor growth, sleep, mental health, nutrition and general wellbeing. Early intervention and healthy habits established during the teenage years can have lasting benefits well into adulthood.

If you have a teenager at home and would like to book a health check get in touch with Bulli Medical Practice online or call us on 4284 4622.