New Study Finds Developmental Delays in Babies Who Spend Time on Screens
A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association of Pediatrics has found that babies who spend a significant amount of time looking at screens, such as iPads, experience developmental delays. The research, conducted in Japan, suggests that watching screens may limit infants’ ability to practice real-life motor skills that they learn from mimicking the people around them.
The study involved surveying over 7,000 parents about their children’s screen time habits. Parents were asked how many hours per day they allowed their children to watch TV, DVDs, video games, internet games, and other screen-related activities. The researchers tracked the results from infancy to four years old and found a correlation between increased screen time and delays in development, including gross and fine motor skills, language ability, and social skills.
By the age of two, children who had up to four hours of screen time per day were up to three times more likely to develop delays in communication and problem-solving skills. Those who spent more than four hours watching screens per day were nearly five times more likely to have communication delays as well.
Dr. John Hutton, an associate professor of general and community pediatrics at the Children’s Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati, who did not work on the study, explained that children learn how to talk through encouragement and interaction. When children are just watching a screen, they miss out on the opportunity to practice speaking and engaging in back-and-forth interaction.
The study also highlighted the importance of play and social interaction in the development of motor, communication, and social skills. Using tablets to handle discomfort, a common practice among parents when their children get fussy, may also have negative impacts on a child’s mental health development.
Dr. Hutton emphasized the importance of allowing children to sit quietly with their own thoughts, as it fosters creativity. He noted that when children are allowed to be a little bit bored, they become uncomfortable and seek ways to make themselves more comfortable, leading to the development of creativity.
The findings of this study serve as a reminder to parents to limit their children’s screen time and encourage more interactive and imaginative play. It also raises awareness about the potential negative impacts of excessive screen time on children’s development.
As adults, we can also learn from this study and reflect on our own screen time habits. Many adults turn to screens to manage boredom and discomfort, but perhaps we should take a cue from this research and strive to sit quietly with our own thoughts, fostering creativity and mental well-being.
In related news, an app claims to use artificial intelligence to show what children would look like, providing an interesting perspective on the future of technology and its impact on parenting.
How can parents and caregivers promote a healthy balance between screen time and other activities to support the optimal development of babies and young children
Had even higher rates of developmental delays.
The findings raise concerns about the impact of screen time on early childhood development. Previous research has already indicated that excessive screen time can interfere with sleep patterns and language development in young children. This study adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting that screen time can have detrimental effects on a wide range of developmental skills.
One possible explanation for this correlation is that screen time replaces important developmental activities such as face-to-face interaction and physical play. Babies and young children learn important skills by observing and imitating the people around them. When their attention is focused on screens, they may miss out on opportunities to practice these skills.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends avoiding screen time altogether for children under the age of 18 months, with the exception of video chatting. For children aged 18 to 24 months, they suggest limiting screen time to high-quality educational programming and watching with a parent or caregiver. For children aged 2 to 5 years, they recommend no more than one hour of screen time per day of high-quality programming.
These guidelines are intended to promote healthy development and ensure that young children have ample opportunities to engage in activities that support their physical, cognitive, and social-emotional growth.
While it is difficult to completely avoid screens in today’s digital age, parents should be mindful of the amount of screen time their babies and young children are exposed to. It is important to prioritize activities that promote active learning and interaction with caregivers and peers. This can include reading books, playing with toys, engaging in outdoor play, and participating in age-appropriate activities that stimulate different areas of development.
Ultimately, this study serves as a reminder to parents and caregivers to be mindful of the potential risks associated with excessive screen time for young children. By promoting a healthy balance between screen time and other activities, we can support the optimal development of our babies and young children.
This is concerning but not surprising. We need to prioritize interactive and sensory experiences for infants instead of relying on screens.