Just like parents and their rules on media use for children, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) needed an update in policy.

The AAP has long recommended parents to strictly monitor their children's Internet and media use. New research supports and expands those guidelines by taking into account more forms of media like Facebook, Netflix, and Twitter, according to The Associated Press.

Though unrestricted media use isn't the direct cause of any one problem, it's linked to many negative outcomes such as bullying, violence, obesity, sleep loss, and more, according to the AAP's webpage dedicated to media use and children. The AAP recommends parents restrict their children's media time to between 1-2 hours of quality programs per day, set up media-free zones, and avoid TV for children under the age of two.

Research by Dr. Victor Strasburger of the University of New Mexico and colleagues expands the definition of media to include smartphones, computers and other Internet-connected devices, according to rhe AP. Instead of two hours of TV watching or computer use, children have two hours to watch TV, use the computer (excepting online homework), play with their phones, and go on Facebook, Twitter, and other forms of social media.

"This is the 21st century and they need to get with it," Strasburger said.

In addition to exploring more forms of media, the study based its research on a 2010 survey that found children ages 8-18 used media for 7 hours or more per day, The AP reported. Many within that age group were finding ways to access media devices after dark, which may have been where previous data from the AAP had underestimated their daily use.

"Young people now spend more time with media than they do in school - it is the leading activity for children and teenagers other than sleeping," the new policy said.

The AP consulted the Risinger family and its 16 year old son Mark, who said an internet or media ban wouldn't work and that kids would find a way past it. He called his age group "the experts" and parents "the Neanderthals". His mother, Amy Risinger, mostly agreed.

"I think some children have a greater maturity level and you don't need to be quite as strict with them," said Risinger, who runs a communications consulting firm.

According to the study and mother of two teenage girls, Sara Gorr, however, Mark should still be monitored

"I guarantee you that if you have a 14-year-old boy and he has an Internet connection in his bedroom, he is looking at pornography," Strasburger said.

"There needs to be more awareness," Gorr said. "Kids are getting way too much computer time. It's bad for their socialization, it's overstimulating, it's numbing them."