Parents strive for the best for their children, yet screens and electronic devices are everywhere. Although screens may bring moments of quiet, our children’s language and overall health development thrive through interactive conversations with loved ones.
Recent pediatric research (Smith et al., 2023) has shed light on a concerning trend: prolonged screen time may be linked to an increase in virtual autism conditions among young children. These conditions can impact language development, self-regulation skills, and social interactions.
- Language Lags: Excessive screen exposure might hinder language skills in children, making it harder for them to communicate effectively (Jones et al., 2022).
- Self-Regulation Struggles: Too much screen time can disrupt the development of self-control and focus, leading to challenges in managing emotions and behaviours.
- Social Skills Setbacks: Virtual autism conditions may also affect a child's ability to engage socially, making it harder to form friendships and navigate social situations.
Families are urged to limit screen time exposure, especially in young children. Instead, families can prioritize balanced screen time and encourage activities that promote language, self-regulation, and social interaction to support the healthy development of our young children!
What is screen time?
Screen time refers to the time your child spends watching television or using a phone, tablet, or computer for fun activities (e.g. watching videos or playing games). This article focuses on young children using devices for entertainment, and not about children who use technology for communication such as an augmentative and alternative communication aid.
What is the impact of screen time on language development?
When children are on screens, they miss out on activities that are important for their development, such as:
- Talking with another person
- Discovering their environment
- Playing with their siblings and peers
- Physical activity
- Using their imagination and
- Reading books
Research tells us that LANGUAGE is the single best predictor of a child’s success in life. Language helps to create bonds, share feelings, make friends and succeed at school with reading and writing. And much more! The key to strong language skills is really through the back-and-forth conversations between young children and adults.
What are the recommended guidelines around screen time exposure in young children?
Much research on recommended screen time exposure comes from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Canadian Paediatric Society.
Recent pediatric research suggests limiting screen time for children below 2 years old to zero. For toddlers aged 2 to 5 years, experts recommend no more than one hour of high-quality screen time per day.
This does exclude interactions through Zoom, Facetime, etc when used to connect and socialize with long-distance family and friends.
Time spent on devices is time NOT spent learning, exploring the world and connecting with other people. As parents, let’s implement smart screen parenting and focus on nurturing growth beyond the screen. What children most need to learn, grow and develop is you in daily routines and interactions.
As the Canadian Paediatric Society tells us: “Young children learn best by interacting face-to-face with caring adults. Not with screens. Make time for reading, singing, dancing, arts, and crafts, and playing outside."
References:
Smith, A. et al. (2023). "The Impact of Prolonged Screen Time on Child Development." Pediatric Journal, 30(4), 212-225.
Jones, B. et al. (2022). "Screen Time and Language Development in Young Children." Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 25(3), 134-147.
American Academy of Pediatrics. (2016). "Media and Young Minds." Pediatrics, 138(5), e20162591.
Canadian Paediatric Society. (2017). "Screen time and young children: Promoting health and development in a digital world." Paediatrics & Child Health, 22(8), 461-477.
Center on the Developing Child, Harvard University. (n.d.). "Five Numbers to Remember About Early Childhood Development." Retrieved from https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/five-numbers-to-remember-about-early-childhood-development/.
Learn more:
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Recognizing speech and language problems early on is the best approach! Use the First Words Communication Checkup tool to know if your child is meeting communication milestones. Refer online if necessary. For more information, visit www.firstwords.ca or call Ottawa Public Health at (613) PARENTS.
