Technology has now entrenched in the lives of all segments of people – from children to elderly people. Mobile devices are now accessible to almost 90% of the population leaving them prone to screen time. In this blog, we will discuss the adverse effect of screen time on children’s overall development.
During the pandemic children aged 0-8 are spending over 2 hours per day in front of screens and 98% of children live in a home with an internet-connected device. But what is the effect of screen time on child development? This burning question has arisen, not only from our new technological reality, but also because one in four children are showing delays and deficits in language, communication, motor, and emotional skills.
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The adverse effect and its side effects
Statistics show that children and adolescents who spent more time using screen media were lower in psychological well-being than low users. High users of screens were significantly more likely to display poor emotion regulation that includes not staying calm, arguing too much, being difficult to get along with, an inability to finish tasks, lower curiosity, and more difficulty making friends. They also show a lack of self-control and care for others.
Among adolescents, if we compare high vs. low users then high users are twice as likely to have received diagnoses of depression or anxiety or needed treatment for mental or behavioral health conditions. Moderate users were also significantly more likely than low users of screens to be low in well-being and, among 14- to 17-year-olds, to have been diagnosed with depression or anxiety or need mental health treatment. Non-users generally did not significantly differ in well-being from low users of screens.
Research has shown concurrent associations between screen time and developmental delays in children. However, concurrent associations only provide a snapshot in time and thus, they cannot speak to “development” per se. Moreover, concurrent associations cannot indicate which comes first, screen time, or delays in development. One theory is that it leads to developmental delays due to missed opportunities to practice development, while another proposes the opposite, that children showing delays in development receive more screen time to manage challenging behaviors. Answering this “chicken or egg” question will help health practitioners, policymakers, and parents understand the consequences of screen time, as well as guide recommendations for digital media use in young children.
Why do children show delays in meeting developmental milestones on account of increased screen time?
One answer could be that sitting in front of screens precludes children from physically engaging with their environment and fostering developmental skills. Interacting with digital media may also prevent or take the place of in-person interactions between children and their caregivers, interactions that are crucial to a child’s healthy development. Future research should provide clarification about why screen time leads to delays in meeting developmental milestones. Another helpful area for research is to assess how the context (with or without caregivers) and quality (streaming versus interactive apps) of media content may impact development.
Conclusion
In conclusion, our study answers the “chicken or egg?” question when it comes to screen time and child development. In early childhood, higher screen time is associated with delays in meeting developmental milestones. Ongoing research is imperative to further understand and manage the impacts of technology on children during crucial periods of growth and