How Screen Time Harms Kids' Development

It all adds up. The cartoon while eating breakfast. Watching YouTube while you cook dinner. And then, again after bath time before bed?

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Preschool age kids shouldn’t have more than one hour of screen time a day, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. But a new study examined whether excessive screen time during preschool years has an impact on a child’s development.

The study looked at 2,441 children and their screen time use from birth to age 5.

Pediatrician Skyler Kalady, MD, didn’t take part in the research, but says the results indicate that early exposure does impact development for preschoolers ― and not in a good way.

“Early exposure to excessive screen time at 24 months was predictive of lower developmental outcomes at 36 months,” Dr. Kalady notes. “And similarly, increased screen time exposure at 36 months also was related to decreased developmental outcomes at 60 months.”

Why the screen time is so detrimental

A developing mind is in a critical phase during the very early years, Dr. Kalady explains.

Children, especially those under age 5, need to explore their environments and develop motor skills by moving around and being curious. That isn’t happening if they are spending all of their time looking at an electronic device.

Dr. Kalady says parents often don’t give themselves enough credit that they are able to teach their children better than a device can.

All of these little developmental cues, they take so much time to build up. And while a lot of well-meaning caregivers think that perhaps technology might even be able to teach their child better or more effectively, it really seems that is not the case.

Don’t underestimate the value of face-to-face time

The early years are critical for children to spend quality face-to-face time with parents and caregivers, Dr. Kalady points out. This time together enables children to learn how to interact both verbally and nonverbally.

“Just sit down with your child, or chase them around and let them explore their environment ― even if it’s a little bit exhausting,” she says. “When they are quiet, read them a book or play with ‘old school’ toys like blocks and puzzles, toys without electronic parts. This allows children to explore, be curious and learn the best.”

It’s helpful to set up limits and expectations early, Dr. Kalady notes. That’s because it’s easier to start off with healthy screen time habits than it is to scale back once you’ve already begun.

But, she reassures, it’s important to remember that no parent is perfect. At any point, you can always take a step back, do a re-set and make a new plan that works best for your family going forward.

Complete results of the study can be found in JAMA Pediatrics.