While using phones or tablets to engage babies might seem like an easy solution to keep them occupied, recent findings indicate that this practice could impede their development.

Research reveals that infants aged one year who have more screen exposure face a heightened risk of experiencing developmental delays in communication and problem-solving abilities at the ages of two and four. The study, published on August 21 in the journal JAMA Pediatrics, involved 7,097 children and their parents recruited from various obstetric clinics and hospitals in Japan between 2013 and 2017.

The study participants reported their 1-year-old child’s screen time on an average day, encompassing activities such as watching TV, DVDs, playing video games, using mobile phones, and tablets. Subsequently, when the children reached ages 2 and 4, parents answered a questionnaire assessing their development across different domains, including communication, motor skills, problem-solving, and social skills.

By the time the children were 2 years old, those with four or more hours of daily screen time were almost twice as likely to experience delays in communication and problem-solving skills. Additionally, those spending four or more hours a day on screens were nearly five times more prone to communication delays and nearly three times more susceptible to problem-solving delays by age 2. Moreover, those with extensive screen exposure had up to double the likelihood of encountering delays in fine motor skills and personal and social skills by age 2. However, by age 4, the increased risk of delays remained primarily for communication and problem-solving skills.

Dr. Sarah Adams, a pediatrician and medical director at Akron Children’s Hospital, states that this research underscores the lasting impact of screen time on a child’s development. It emphasizes the necessity of adhering to screen time guidelines for infants and young children to ensure their proper growth.

While genetics, negative experiences, and socioeconomic factors can also influence development, the study identified certain traits among parents of children with high screen time, such as being younger, having a lower income and education level, and experiencing postpartum depression.

One limitation of the study was the lack of specificity regarding the type of screen content children were exposed to, as well as whether a parent accompanied the child while viewing. Some studies suggest that not all screen time has the same impact on development. A meta-analysis involving children under 12 years old found that screen time devoted to educational content correlated with improved language skills.

To address this concern, experts advise reducing screen time for young children and following recommendations, such as having an adult present during screen use, selecting high-quality programming, and engaging with children during screen time to enhance its educational value.