New research finds screen use can affect cognitive and language development and more in child development.
The digital age has made screens more accessible and portable than ever. Although the full implications of screen time exposure on young kids
whose brains are still developing is not yet known, there is concern
that screen use can affect cognitive and language development, lead to
problems in school and make some mental health disorders worse.
Because of these concerns, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) created guidelines in 2016 for parents to limit children's screen time.
Some of those guidelines include:
- Avoid screen time for children younger than 18 months, with the exception of video chatting.
- From 18 to 24 months, introduce digital media by watching quality programming like PBS Kids or Sesame Workshop with children.
- For ages 2 to 5, limit screen time to 1 hour per day and watch quality programming with kids.
- For ages 6 and up, limit media use and device type, and ensure media use does not interfere with sleep and physical activity
A new study
from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center published in JAMA
Pediatrics showed concerning evidence that brain structure may be
altered in kids with more screen use. Researchers looked at brain MRIs
in 47 preschoolers and found that screen time over the AAP's
recommendations was associated with differences in brain structure in
areas related to language and literacy development.
Importantly,
cognitive testing was not different among children with more or less
screen time when correcting for household income. But the findings
provide some evidence that support caution with screen time during this
crucial developmental stage.
According
to David Anderson, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist and senior director
of National Programs and Outreach at the Child Mind Institute, it’s
especially important “to be very cautious when using screens with young
kids, as this study highlights, as young kids are in a critical
developmental period."
At this stage, children "require
face-to-face interaction," said Anderson to reach developmental
milestones including building language and social skills. During this
time they also develop empathy, the ability to understand emotion, and
"build stamina to navigate personal situations," he said.
This
study brings up the important question: What is screen time replacing?
It is unclear if the findings are related to the screen time itself, or
from the lack of other activities that screen time replaces, such as
reading with parents, socializing and outdoor play.
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| © Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Center This lateral brain image shows white matter tracts with lower structural integrity associated with more screen time in these children. Affected areas are in blue, and ranged from 16 percent to 55 percent in three main tracts of interest. |
Is all screen time bad? Some forms may be worse than others. According to another recent study
in JAMA Pediatrics that analyzed prior research on screen time in kids
from ages 4 to 18, TV and video games in particular, were associated
with worse academic performance, especially in teens.
On the
other hand, Anderson pointed out that "there can be positive effects" of
screen time including "increasing social connection, particularly in
kids in marginalized groups, where finding online communities where they
can be accepted and supported can be immensely positive."
And in
teenagers and adults, "small doses of screen time can be a mental
health-positive way of relaxing, reducing stress, and connecting
socially to friends and family members."
What
can parents do? In addition to the recommendations by the AAP to
restrict screen time in young children, as children get older it is
important to place limits not just on how much screen time, but when to
allow screen time. Screen time later at night can interfere with sleep,
so the AAP recommends parents pay special attention to limiting
nighttime device usage.
It’s important to make an effort to spend
time and socialize together, and promote activities like playing
outdoors or participating in athletics.
"If your teenager is
generally actively participating, getting homework done, having
face-to-face interaction with family members and friends, and has
extracurricular and physical activity … parents can relax a little
[about screen time] … and reduce the guilt," Anderson advised.
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