[2023] Toddlers and Tablets Research: The Truth About Screen Time

Quick Answer:

Toddlers and tablets research has shown that excessive screen time can have negative effects on a child’s development. Studies have found that prolonged exposure to screens can disrupt brain development, hinder cognitive skills, and impact social and emotional well-being. While some educational apps and supervised screen time can be beneficial, it is important for parents to set limits and prioritize other forms of play and interaction.

Quick Tips and Facts:

• Excessive screen time can lead to long-term brain disruptions and hinder cognitive development in toddlers.
• Staring at screens may damage the parent-child relationship, which is crucial for brain development.
• Screen time at 12 months of age can affect performance in school years later.
• Executive functions, such as self-regulation and learning, are particularly vulnerable to deficits in infants due to screen time.
• Excessive screen time can lead to obesity, slower brain and physical development, and worsening mental health.

Background: The Impact of Screen Time on Toddlers

In recent years, the use of tablets and smartphones by toddlers has become increasingly common. However, research has raised concerns about the potential negative effects of excessive screen time on young children. Studies have shown that prolonged exposure to screens can disrupt brain development, hinder cognitive skills, and impact social and emotional well-being.

Related Studies: What the Research Says

Numerous studies have been conducted to understand the impact of screen time on toddlers. Here are some key findings:

1. Brain Development Disruptions: Research conducted in Singapore found that screen time harms the development of “high order cognitive skills” such as decision making, thinking, and creativity. The study involved 437 infants who were 18 months old and used electroencephalogram (EEG) tests to measure neural activity. The findings suggest that excessive screen time can disrupt normal brain development in toddlers.

2. Parent-Child Relationship: Staring at screens for extended periods can damage the parent-child relationship, which is crucial for brain development. A study published in the Journal of Pediatrics found that excessive screen time in toddlers was associated with decreased parent-child interaction and increased behavioral problems.

3. Long-Term Impact: Screen time at 12 months of age can affect performance in school years later. A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that an average of two hours of screen time per day at 12 months accounted for 40% of the difference in results on developmental tests at 3 years. This suggests that early screen time can have long-lasting effects on a child’s development.

4. Executive Function Deficits: Executive functions, which are essential for self-regulation, learning, academic achievement, and mental health, are particularly vulnerable to deficits in infants due to difficulty processing information on screens. A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that higher levels of screen time in toddlers were associated with poorer performance on measures of executive function.

5. Physical and Mental Health: Excessive screen time can lead to obesity, slower brain and physical development, and worsening mental health. A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that higher levels of screen time in toddlers were associated with increased risk of obesity and delayed physical development. Additionally, excessive screen time has been linked to increased rates of anxiety and depression in children.

FAQ

Should toddlers play on tablets?

While some educational apps and supervised screen time can be beneficial, it is important for parents to set limits and prioritize other forms of play and interaction. Toddlers should not have unrestricted access to tablets. It is recommended to follow the American Academy of Pediatrics’ guidelines, which suggest no screen time for children under 18 months, except for video chatting, and limited screen time (1 hour per day) for children aged 18-24 months.

Read more about “… What Age Should a Child Have a Tablet?”

How do tablets affect child development?

Excessive screen time can have negative effects on child development. It can disrupt brain development, hinder cognitive skills, and impact social and emotional well-being. Tablets can hinder the development of high order cognitive skills such as decision making, thinking, and creativity. Additionally, excessive screen time can lead to obesity, slower brain and physical development, and worsening mental health.

Read more about “… Are Tablets Good for Kids Learning?”

Are tablets good or bad for toddlers?

Tablets can have both positive and negative effects on toddlers. When used in moderation and with appropriate content, tablets can provide educational benefits and enhance certain skills. However, excessive screen time can have detrimental effects on a child’s development. It is important for parents to set limits, choose age-appropriate content, and prioritize other forms of play and interaction.

What are researchers finding about toddler screen time?

Researchers have found that excessive screen time in toddlers can have negative effects on brain development, cognitive skills, and social-emotional well-being. It can disrupt normal brain development, hinder executive functions, and impact the parent-child relationship. Additionally, excessive screen time has been linked to obesity, delayed physical development, and increased rates of anxiety and depression in children.

Conclusion

In conclusion, toddlers and tablets research has shown that excessive screen time can have negative effects on a child’s development. While some educational apps and supervised screen time can be beneficial, it is important for parents to set limits and prioritize other forms of play and interaction. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no screen time for children under 18 months, except for video chatting, and limited screen time (1 hour per day) for children aged 18-24 months.

When allowing toddlers to use tablets, it is crucial to choose age-appropriate content and ensure that screen time is balanced with other activities. Parents should actively engage with their children during screen time and encourage offline play and social interaction. By following these guidelines, parents can help mitigate the potential negative effects of screen time on their toddlers’ development.

Recommended Links

• Kid-Friendly Tablets
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• Should a 4-Year-Old Have a Tablet?

Reference Links

• Letting toddlers play with phones or tablets can lead to long-term brain disruptions
• American Academy of Pediatrics – Media and Young Minds