In today’s digital age, screens are everywhere. From tablets to smartphones, children are exposed to screens at an increasingly younger age. While these devices can be valuable tools for learning and entertainment, excessive screen time can have surprising and sometimes detrimental effects on a child’s development.

Cognitive Development

Research shows a mixed impact on cognitive development. On one hand, educational apps and e-books can enhance early reading skills and creativity. On the other hand, excessive screen time, especially with multitasking, is linked to lower executive functioning, which includes skills like working memory, inhibition, and task switching. A long-term study even found that every hour of TV exposure at age two was associated with a decrease in classroom engagement and math proficiency later on.

Language Development

Screen time can also affect how children develop language skills. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that for children younger than 18 months, screen time should be limited to video-chatting with an adult. For children 18 to 24 months, if you want to introduce digital media, choose high-quality programming and watch it with your child to help them understand what they’re seeing. The context of screen time matters. Co-viewing with a parent and discussing the content can actually have a positive correlation with language abilities. However, studies have shown that children with more than two hours of screen time per day are more likely to have a poorer vocabulary.

Social-Emotional Development

Excessive screen time can have a significant impact on a child’s social and emotional well-being. It can lead to an increased risk of obesity, sleep problems, and mental health issues like depression and anxiety. It can also hinder their ability to read emotions and may contribute to aggressive behavior.

Strategies for Parents

The key is to find a healthy balance. Here are some strategies for managing your child’s screen time:

• Set Limits: The AAP recommends creating a family media plan. This plan should have consistent rules about when, where, and for how long screens can be used.
• Be a Role Model: Children learn by example. Model healthy screen habits by putting your own devices away during family time.
• Encourage Other Activities: Promote activities that stimulate development, such as reading, playing outdoors, and creative play.
• Co-View and Engage: When your child is using a screen, watch with them and talk about what they are seeing. This can turn passive screen time into an active learning experience.

By being mindful of the potential impacts of screen time and taking proactive steps to manage it, you can help your child develop in a healthy and balanced way.

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