ADS BLOG: Early Childhood Research & News

The Harm of Screen Time for young children

9/25/2024

THE HARM of SCREEN TIME
Excessive screen time for children ages birth to five is linked to developmental delays, poor social-emotional outcomes, and health risks such as obesity and sleep disruption. Research on the effects of screen time for children ages birth to five highlights several potential risks related to cognitive, physical, and social-emotional development. Excessive screen use during early childhood can negatively impact critical developmental stages, particularly when it replaces interactive and real-world experiences. Below are key research findings on the harm of screen time for young children:
1. Cognitive Development and Learning Delays

Christakis (2009) found that prolonged screen exposure during early childhood is linked to attention problems later in life. For every hour of television watched per day at age three, there was a 10% increase in the likelihood of attention issues by age seven.
Zimmerman et al. (2007) argue that passive screen exposure, such as watching television, limits children’s opportunities for interactive learning, which is critical for brain development during early years.

2. Impact on Social-Emotional Development

Madigan et al. (2019) reported that higher screen time in children aged 2-5 is associated with poorer social-emotional and behavioral outcomes. Screen exposure can limit face-to-face interactions, reducing opportunities for children to learn critical social skills such as empathy, communication, and conflict resolution.
Radesky et al. (2016) point out that screens can act as a distraction, particularly for parents. Children who experience less parent-child interaction may face difficulties in emotional regulation and forming healthy attachments.
Research from Courage and Setliff (2010) found that young children learn better through direct engagement and play, which screens often replace. Reduced playtime, especially unstructured, creative play, can affect social-emotional growth and problem-solving abilities.

3. Physical Health Concerns

Tremblay et al. (2017) highlight that screen time is associated with sedentary behavior, which can contribute to childhood obesity. Excessive screen use at a young age often replaces active play, leading to less physical activity and poorer motor skill development.
Pagani et al. (2010) found that for every additional hour of screen time, preschool children showed worse motor skill development and physical fitness. Engaging in physical activities and hands-on play is critical for young children’s gross and fine motor skills.

4. Sleep Disruption

Studies by Hale and Guan (2015) show that screen time, particularly before bedtime, is linked to poor sleep quality and insufficient sleep in young children. The blue light emitted by screens can disrupt circadian rhythms and suppress melatonin, making it harder for children to fall asleep and stay asleep.
Mindell et al. (2017) found that children aged 0-5 who had more screen time experienced shorter sleep duration, and screen use in the hour before bed was particularly harmful to sleep patterns.

5. Reduced Parent-Child Interaction

Kirkorian, Pempek, and Anderson (2009) highlight that screen use often reduces the quantity and quality of parent-child interaction. Parental guidance and joint media engagement are essential to mitigate some of the negative impacts of screens. Without active mediation, children miss out on crucial learning moments that occur during social interactions.
Lerner and Barr (2014) found that children under 3 have difficulty transferring knowledge gained from screens to the real world. Interactive play with caregivers or peers provides the context needed for children to understand concepts better than when they are passively consuming content from a screen.

6. Attention and Executive Function Issues

Research by Dimitri Christakis (2011) suggests that the fast-paced nature of many children's television shows and apps overstimulates the developing brain. This overstimulation can lead to shortened attention spans and difficulties with executive function tasks, such as impulse control and problem-solving.
Nathanson et al. (2014) found that children who spent more time in front of screens at young ages had greater difficulty with self-regulation and exhibited more behavior problems than children with limited screen exposure.

Key Recommendations from Research:

For children under age 3, avoid screen use altogether, except for video chatting.
Encourage play, particularly active and social play, to support cognitive, physical, and social-emotional development.
Co-view and interact with children during screen time to help them understand and learn from content, rather than leaving them to passively consume it.
Establish screen-free zones and times, especially around meals and before bedtime, to reduce negative impacts on sleep and family interactions.

What to offer instead of screens:
Screen-Free at Home
1. Arts and Crafts

Painting and drawing
Collage making
Playdough or clay

2. Building and Construction

Building blocks
Cardboard box play
DIY fort

3. Pretend Play

Dress-up and role-playing
Play kitchen
Stuffed animal or doll care

4. Sensory Play

Sensory bins
Water play
Sand or kinetic sand

5. Outdoor Activities

Nature exploration
Gardening
Chalk drawing

6. Active Play

Obstacle courses
Dance party
Simon Says or Freeze Dance

7. Music and Movement

Musical instruments
DIY instruments
Movement games

8. Puzzles and Problem-Solving

Jigsaw puzzles
Sorting games
Matching games

9. Reading and Storytelling

Storytime
Create your own story
Puppet shows

10. Science and Exploration

Simple science experiments
Nature observation
DIY sensory bottles

11. Baking and Cooking

Help in the kitchen
Playdough or salt dough baking

12. Board Games and Card Games

Simple board games
DIY card games

Screen Free When Out and About (Car, restaurants, running errands, etc.)

Educational Travel Games

Children’s Audiobooks (Free from Auburn Library- Cloud Library and Opelika Library through Hoopla)
Sing-along Songs
Travel bingo
Shape or Alphabet Games
Rhyming Games
I Spy
Reusable Sticker Books
Counting Games
Tell a Story Together

Interactive Toys

Busy boards: Small, portable boards with buttons, zippers, laces, and buckles can keep toddlers entertained while developing their fine motor skills.
Soft, quiet toys
Polly Pocket
Play Dough
Wiki Stix
Block Sets
Musical Toys
BOOKS (Bring a huge tub and pass them back one by one) Touch and Feel, Lift the Flap, etc.
Crayola Color Wonder Markers and paper (no mess)
Water Wow! Books
Stickers
Magnetic Play Sets
Felt Boards
Reusable cling stickers for windows or lap board
Drawing Books

Limiting screen exposure and emphasizing hands-on, real-world interactions, play, and learning experiences are crucial to healthy early childhood development. These activities not only keep children entertained but also foster creativity, language development, and learning without relying on screens. They provide enriching, screen-free experiences that are both fun and educational for young children.

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