Rabat – Have you ever wondered, as you hand a toddler your phone to calm a tantrum, what that screen might be doing to their developing brain?
According to Sam Wass, a child psychologist, young children’s brains are still developing and remain highly sensitive to what they see and experience. An adult brain, for example, can process about 10 frames per second, while a 15-month-old can process only one. As a result, rapid changes on a screen may be difficult for young children to process.
“Screens put children into a sympathetic nervous system, fight-or-flight mode, especially when the content is fast-paced or rapid,” Wass explains. This may explain why using a screen to calm a child during a tantrum can sometimes have the opposite effect. Over time, reliance on screens as a way to regulate children’s emotions could make the problem worse.
Michael Nagel, an associate professor of child development, says higher screen time is associated with lower development of white matter in the brain. White matter is important for skills such as language, reading and thinking.
Nagel also notes that when children spend time on screens, they have less time to interact with people around them, including other children and adults. As a result, they may have fewer chances to practise communication and social skills. This can have negative effects on their development.
Another study published in the JAMA Network found that more screen time during the preschool years was linked to several negative effects later in childhood. Children who spent more time on screens showed lower classroom participation and lower math performance. They were also more likely to experience bullying from classmates. The researchers further found that these children spent less time being physically active, consumed more soft drinks and snacks, and had a higher body mass index (BMI).
Overall, the study suggested that higher screen exposure during the preschool years may increase the risk of developmental and behavioral problems later in childhood.
What can parents do?
A mother of a 3-year-old boy also shared her experience in a Facebook group focused on children’s brain development and physical activity. She said she had given her son her phone during a hospital stay, but noticed a marked change whenever she took it away or refused to give it to him.
“Whenever I take it or don’t give it to him, he becomes hyperactive, destroying toys if we provide, and I’m deeply concerned,” she wrote.
She is not the only concerned mother. Many parents are asking questions about their children’s behaviour and wondering how they can reduce their screen time.
Parents can actually help children manage their screen time by setting clear and realistic limits. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no screen time for children under two, up to one hour a day for children aged two to 12, and up to two hours a day for teenagers and adults.
However, parents can start with small changes, especially if their children already spend many hours on screens. Reducing screen time little by little can make the change easier for children.
Parents should also create screen-free times and places at home. For example, bedrooms can be kept free of TVs, tablets, and other devices. Phones and electronic devices can also be put away during meals. Families can even choose one or more days a week to spend less time on screens. When devices are not being used, they can be kept in a common area or charging station instead of being left near children.
It is also important to replace screen time with other activities. Parents can encourage children to play outside, exercise, read books or their favorite comics, try a new hobby, play board games, or spend time with family and friends.
After school, parents can spend time talking with their children and giving them their full attention instead of immediately using their own phones. Even when children are watching television, families can add some physical activity, such as stretching or doing simple exercises.
Finally, parents should lead by example. Children are more likely to follow screen-time rules when they see their parents following them too. Parents can limit their own screen use and avoid leaving the TV on when no one is watching. Experts also advise against using screens as a reward or punishment because this can make screens seem even more important to children.
Instead, families can make reducing screen time more fun and engaging by choosing activities together, whether that means going for a walk, trying a new hobby, or playing a game.
