Screen Time and Your Child’s Development: What Parents Need to Know

In today’s digital age, screens are everywhere, and they’ve become a big part of our children’s lives. As parents, many of us rely on tablets, TVs, or smartphones to keep our kids entertained or even help them learn. But how does screen time impact their development? Recent research sheds light on this important question.

The Link Between Screen Time and Development

A study involving over 2,400 mothers and children found that higher levels of screen time in toddlers (ages 24 and 36 months) were linked to poorer performance on developmental screening tests. These tests measured important milestones like language, communication, motor skills, and social-emotional abilities.

Here are the key findings: children who spent more time on screens at ages 2 and 3 struggled more with developmental tasks by ages 3 and 5. However, the reverse wasn’t true, children who started with delays didn’t necessarily end up spending more time on screens later. This suggests that it’s the screen time itself, rather than existing delays, that may be contributing to these challenges (Madegin. S, et. al, 2019).

Why Developmental Milestones Matter

By the time children start school, about 1 in 4 show delays in areas like communication, motor skills, and social-emotional health. These gaps don’t tend to close on their own. Without intervention, they often widen over time, making it harder for kids to succeed academically and socially. This can lead to long-term challenges and increased reliance on resources like special education or remedial programs.

How Much Screen Time is Too Much?

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children aged 2 to 5 spend no more than one hour per day on high-quality programming. However, many young children exceed this guideline. In fact, the study found that:

At 24 months, children spent an average of 17 hours a week on screens.
By 36 months, this increased to about 25 hours a week.
Even at age 5, kids were still averaging around 11 hours of screen time weekly.

This overexposure to screens may crowd out crucial activities like playing, exploring, and interacting with caregivers—activities that are vital for developing language, motor skills, and emotional understanding.

What Parents Can Do

Balancing screen time doesn’t mean cutting it out completely, but it does mean being intentional. Here are some tips to help:

Follow the Guidelines: Aim to limit screen time to one hour per day for children ages 2 to 5, focusing on high-quality content.
Engage Together: Watch programs or play games with your child and talk about what they’re seeing and doing.
Prioritize Play: Encourage hands-on, unstructured play, which is critical for motor and social development.
Create Screen-Free Zones: Set aside times and places where screens aren’t allowed, such as during meals or in bedrooms.
Model Healthy Habits: Show your child that you can enjoy time away from screens, too!

The Bottom Line

Screens are a part of modern life, but too much screen time during the early years can impact your child’s ability to reach key developmental milestones. By being mindful of how and when your child uses screens, you can help ensure they’re getting the experiences they need to thrive.

Remember, the goal isn’t perfection but balance—supporting your child’s growth in a world where screens are everywhere.