OSF HealthCare Newsroom

Take a look, it’s in a book

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 08:24:15 -0500

As a pediatrics expert and mother of an eight-year-old, Emily Isom has seen the screen time debate firsthand.

“Kids are being introduced to technology early,” says Isom, a certified medical assistant in pediatrics at OSF HealthCare. “COVID was one of the reasons. Kids did schoolwork on their devices. That turns into using technology throughout the day. They get attached and addicted to scrolling and swiping. It’s glued to their hands.”

One way to break the cycle? Good old-fashioned ink and paper. Isom is reminding people, young and old, about the pitfalls of excessive screen time and the benefits of reading for fun, not just when you have to.

The concerns

Isom says constant screen time can weaken kids’ memory and concentration.

“It’s hard for a kid to focus on a reading assignment in school because they are so used to quick swipes on their device,” Isom says. Long term, Isom says this can lead to poor grades, missed academic opportunities and even a diagnosis of a learning disorder.

“Anxiety is also a big concern. I see this in older kids,” Isom adds. “Bullying online causes a lot of anxiety. There’s social pressure. They want to be not left out. Who’s texting me? What’s going on online? Am I going to miss this party? Is there something going on I should be involved in? They focus on this instead of schoolwork.” Isom also says kids are exposed online to traumatic news stories and adult content, leading to confusion about the world, stress and other mental health concerns.

The benefits

“If kids read on a regular basis, it’s going to sharpen their mind. It’s going to help them excel in academics. It’s going to give them a more open mind to the world. It’s going to help with memory,” Isom says. They’ll be more curious, she adds, not just about the book but about the world. This can pay off when they’re exposed to other cultures in college and the workplace. Books can also be an escape from everyday stress.

“Reading for fun [not just when it’s required for school] helps you find things you’re interested in,” Isom adds. “You might find a book you had no idea about. You open the book and realize ‘I like reading. I like this genre. This is different and cool.’ Then you keep reading. You want to learn more. It’s like being on the edge of your seat with a movie you can’t stop watching. It brings happiness. It’s almost magical.”

Tips for adults

How can parents and teachers get young ones to rediscover their love for reading?

Let your child pick the book, but give them options that are fun and light. Save the books on heavier topics for when they get older.
Make books available throughout your home. Place books on shelves or nightstands in bedrooms, living rooms and playrooms.
Let kids see you read.

“If they see you read, they’re going to read,” Isom says.
Read with your child.

“I can’t stress that enough. Reading with your child is going to get them to read more,” Isom says. “When you’re with them, showing them words and interacting with them, you’re challenging their brain. Kids love that. They say, ‘Hey mom, can we read this book tonight?’ Next thing you know, it becomes a habit. It’s a nightly thing.”
Create a reward system for reading. For example, put a sticker on a posterboard for every book read. At 10 stickers, the child gets a reward like a toy or special meal. Isom says after a while, the child might forget about the rewards because they’ve developed a love for reading.

Traditional or tech?

We live in a digital world where some people read on electronic devices like a Kindle. Is that OK, or should you stick to paper books?

Isom says e-readers are fine since it’s not a constant scroll like social media.

Learn more

Read more about keeping your child healthy on the OSF HealthCare website. Pediatric care at OSF includes local clinics like the one Isom works at and OSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of Illinois in Peoria.

OSF also offers resources if your child’s screen time requires a visit to a mental health provider. Some resources are available even if you are not an OSF patient.

Interview clips

Too much screen time, too little sleep could put kids’ health at risk

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 15:00:00 -0500

It’s no secret that some kids and teenagers get too much screen time in any given day. And that could mean health issues down the road.

According to a study published in the Journal of American Heart Association, kids and teens who spend time on screens and get less sleep have a greater risk for future heart and metabolic issues like high blood sugar, high blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

The study came from data collected from more than 1,000 kids and teenagers from Denmark. Teenagers with excess screen time were especially at risk. Screen time included either watching TV or using electronic devices for videogaming or socialization.

Natasha Noel, MD, a pediatric cardiologist with OSF HealthCare Cardiovascular Institute, says studies like this are invaluable.

“I liked the fact that they highlighted that everyday habits could have an effect on the cardiac health of kids and teens,” she says. “I also liked that they didn't focus on weight alone, but they looked at other metabolic measures like high blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose.”

When kids are up late at night, obviously it can impact sleep, which regulates hormones, metabolism and blood pressure.

“When you have lack of sleep for whatever reason, and in this case, maybe late, prolonged screen times, it could increase your insulin resistance,” says Dr. Noel. “It could increase your appetite, your weight, blood pressure levels.”

Dr. Noel adds that more information is probably needed. Since the study reviewed a Danish population, Dr. Noel says the medical community would benefit from a larger and more diverse group of children for future studies. Another study could analyze what types of screens are used, the purposes for which they are used, and the long-term effects on the kids.

“Of the many things they told us was that not only more screen time, but more screen time occurring with less sleep,” she says. “That kind of had an additive effect on cardiovascular risk factors.”

More physical activity

The study indirectly illustrates the importance of kids and the need for physical activity. If they’re crashed in front of the TV watching movies or playing video games, it could be an indication they are not getting enough physical movement needed for cardiovascular health.

“Physical activity is one of the mainstays of treatment, especially when we do lifestyle management for high blood pressure and high cholesterol,” she says. But even with physical activity, that screen time and less sleep may be independent risk factors for cardiovascular health long term for kids.”

Dr. Noel emphasizes to her patients the importance of incorporating more movement into daily routines. She recommends walking or biking to school, playing outside with friends, or participating in sports or theater.

It’s a conversation Dr. Noel has with many of her patients and their parents. She stresses that she’s not against screen time. But it’s important to set some ground rules – limit the use of screens, no screens in the bedroom when it’s time for bed and keep a consistent bedtime.

“It's not about taking it out of the picture completely. It's about balance and limiting it,” she says. “Believe it or not, the habits children build today, how they eat, how they move, how they sleep and how they use technology, could affect their long-term cardiac health.”

For more information about pediatric cardiology services, visit OSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of Illinois.

Interview Clips

Running on empty

Mon, 22 Jul 2024 10:30:00 -0500

Feeling tired all the time no matter what you do? Is it making it difficult to enjoy life? You might want to talk to your health care provider about chronic fatigue syndrome. Experts say it’s a tough ailment to live with and a tough one for science to grasp, but there are ways to ease the symptoms.

“It is challenging, for sure,” says Aminat Ogun, MD, a family medicine physician at OSF HealthCare. “Feeling that intense fatigue day to day for normal activities that other people can tolerate.”

Symptoms and diagnosis

Dr. Ogun says there’s no known, specific cause for chronic fatigue syndrome. But it’s associated with other health issues: viral infections like Epstein-Barr, coronavirus and retroviruses; Lyme disease; depression and sleep disruption. Dr. Ogun says the disorder impacts women more than men and is most often seen in ages 30 to 50.

There’s no test to diagnose chronic fatigue syndrome, so providers will look at five symptoms:

Persistent fatigue
Malaise (feeling discomfort or ill) after exerting yourself

“If you’ve done any mental or physical activity and you have that sudden onset of feeling fatigued and very tired,” Dr. Ogun explains.

Feeling unrefreshed after sleeping
Memory and concentration problems
Orthostatic intolerance. This is a disorder where your blood pressure rises when you stand up.

“If you’ve had six months of these symptoms with moderate to severe intensity at least half of the time,” you’d likely be diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome, Dr. Ogun says. “It’s through history taking. When you see your primary care provider, they ask questions. That’s how it’s diagnosed.”

Treatment

Treatment for chronic fatigue symptoms can include medicine and lifestyle changes.

A provider may recommend medication to help with the joint and muscle aches, nausea, headaches and depression that can come with chronic fatigue syndrome.
Seeing a mental health professional
Diet changes
Graded exercise therapy. A provider will work with you to increase physical activity over time. This can help with overall energy.
Improve sleep habits.

“Go away from screen time a couple hours before sleep. Don’t exercise right before sleep. That can also affect your sleep pattern,” Dr. Ogun lists as two examples.

Dr. Ogun says each treatment plan is different. Medical experts don’t know when, on average, chronic fatigue syndrome will go away. You may have to manage symptoms for the rest of your life. Dr. Ogun says you should stay in close contact with your primary care provider about your treatment plan.

Learn more

Read more about managing chronic fatigue syndrome on the OSF HealthCare website.

Interview clips

Becoming friends with artificial intelligence

Wed, 07 Jun 2023 12:24:43 -0500

Artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly expanded in 2023, and it’s here to stay. ChatGPT, Snapchat and altered photos and videos are just some of the AI encounters people have on their devices daily.

AI has many positives. But experts say when it comes to health advice, take it from a trained human being, not a robot. And if you’re scared of “the rise of the robots” – as they say in Hollywood – there are ways to cope.

“You’re absolutely normal to be anxious when there’s the first stirrings of big shifts in technology or other things that might change our life,” says Ari Lakritz, PsyD, a clinical psychologist at OSF HealthCare who says he sees these concerns often.

Coming to grips with technology advances

Common fears include technology making your job obsolete or providing you with misinformation. Dr. Lakritz suggests being proactive to the changes, not reactive. Learn how AI is changing your job or hobbies.

“See if you might be able to be part of that. Start integrating some of that into your day-to-day practice,” Dr. Lakritz says.

AI can be a time-saver, too.

“It has potential to streamline things we don’t like to do, giving us more time and energy to do things we want or things we feel are important,” Dr. Lakritz says.

For example, it may take you an hour to do an online search for sources for your college essay. If ChatGPT can do it in minutes, you might have time to take that afternoon walk or meet a friend for lunch, boosting your mental and physical health and spurring creativity.

It’s also not our first time dealing with digital unknowns. Remember the supposed Y2K bug around the turn of the millennium? Fears of computer clocks malfunctioning and worse didn’t materialize, and experts took away lessons for the next big technology shift, like AI. And a silver lining of the Y2K anxiety, Dr. Lakritz says, is that it got people learning about technology.

Don’t go to a robot for mental health care

Snapchat, the photo messaging application popular with young people, recently rolled out a chatbot called “My AI.” It’s a way for people to connect with someone when they have no one else.

“My AI can answer a burning trivia question, offer advice on the perfect gift for your BFF’s birthday, help plan a hiking trip for a long weekend, or suggest what to make for dinner,” Snapchat’s website says.

But the company concedes: “It’s possible My AI’s responses may include biased, incorrect, harmful, or misleading content. Because My AI is an evolving feature, you should always independently check answers provided by My AI before relying on any advice, and you should not share confidential or sensitive information.”

Some parents and mental health experts have picked up on that concern, too. They worry young people are getting inadequate mental health advice from a robot.

“That’s like Googling your symptoms when you’re sick instead of going to a real doctor,” Dr. Lakritz says with a hint of dismay. “You’ll get a great deal of information, but there will be very little guidance about how to use that information and which information is more applicable to you.”

If talking about your mental health virtually is your preferred way to go, there are more legitimate options than Snapchat, Dr. Lakritz says. First and foremost, your health care provider may offer virtual visits. Otherwise, talk to a provider or trusted adult about online, third-party counseling options.

“These are programs that have been tested and vetted. There’s oversight and accountability. There’s research behind it,” Dr. Lakritz explains. “Whereas with an AI assistant, it’s not clear the source of information. It’s not clear how to use that information best.”

Will AI and chatrooms replace in-person mental health care? Don’t count on it, Dr. Lakritz predicts. The human connection of being in a room with someone can’t be understated, he says.

When in doubt

When the content on your device is just too much to handle, turn it off, set it aside and take a break.

Look for these warning signs:

“Do you feel you’re doing too much of it? Do you find your use of technology is taking over other interests in your life? Have you tried to cut down but have not been able to? Do you find that using so much technology causes you to stress or dysfunction?” Dr. Lakritz asks.

Most devices have settings that can limit screen time. Parents should set boundaries with their children’s device use. Dr. Lakritz says you can even share your browsing or chat history with a trusted adult so they can make sure you’re using technology appropriately.

If your technology use is causing significant mental health problems, talk to your primary care provider or mental health provider. You can also call 9-8-8 to reach the Nation Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

Learn more

Learn more about behavioral and mental health on the OSF HealthCare website.

Interview clips

B-roll

Tackling pediatric mental health

Tue, 31 Jan 2023 09:18:34 -0600

A new report from the Pew Research Center says children's' mental health is a top concern for parents. It comes as kids have been getting their first taste of a post-COVID, normal school year. But some pandemic habits – staring at a screen all day, lounging on the couch, snacking on junk food – may be hard to break. The physical concerns of these behaviors, like weight gain, are apparent. But experts say sloth-like behavior can impact your mental health too, leading to a lack of motivation and even full-on depression, self-harm, and even suicide.

Mia Harrier is the community health specialist at OSF HealthCare Sacred Heart Medical Center in Danville, Illinois. She and fellow OSF Mission Partner (employee) Jake Ozier have been taking the OSF Care-a-Van to youth groups, advocating for activities that can improve a kid’s mental health. The youngsters leave with a prize like a bocce ball kit to continue recreation.

“As adults, we've been able to make our adjustments [to COVID] because we've been around for a long time. Our brains are through developing,” Harrier says. “However, with children throughout the pandemic, it kind of took some of those opportunities that you typically have away. So they're in this place where they've experienced a lot of confusion, a lot of fear, a lot of uncertainty. So their responses to that have been really varied, and it can go into some things like undue anxiety or some depression.”

Here’s what Harrier says kids and parents need to remember:

Aim for 60 minutes of exercise per day. Harrier says playing around other kids is better than playing alone so the youngsters can gain social skills.
For ages 8 to 18, limit recreational screen time (like television or video games) to two hours per day. For ages 3 to 7, it’s one hour. Kids under two should avoid screen time and media devices altogether.
Replace sugary drinks with a healthier option. Harrier recommends cutting up fruits or vegetables and placing them in a cooler of water. Mix it around, and you have a fruit or vegetable-flavored drink.

“If they have younger siblings, it's good for them to know and helps them to be a little bit more responsible for these things that we're teaching them,” Harrier says.

As a former teacher, Harrier knows all about short attention spans in children. So when it comes to getting that message about mental health care across, she advises parents and educators to make it a two-way conversation.

“Making sure that they're really engaged, that we're asking them questions for them to respond to,” Harrier says. “We're asking them questions like ‘what do you think about this?’ or ‘what's your opinion?’ So, making it very much about them and where they stand on all of this.”

Harrier adds that repeating the message about good habits as kids age reinforces that they’re the right things to do.

If a child you know is showing signs of a mental health issue, Harrier recommends talking to your primary care provider or a behavioral health navigator (BHN). BHN is free service in all the communities OSF HealthCare serves. It aims to get people on the right track to recovery and can provide advice on things like insurance and transportation to appointments.

If a child is in crisis, such as talking about or carrying out self-harm, call 9-1-1 or 9-8-8, the new digits to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.