A recent study advises parents against allowing toddlers to use phones or tablets for extended periods of time, as it reveals that 1-year-olds exposed to above-average screen time experience developmental delays. According to researchers in Japan, 1-year-olds who were exposed to more than four hours of screen time per day had delays in communication and problem-solving skills at ages 2 and 4, as well as delays in fine motor and personal and social skills at age 2 (though not at age 4), as reported by the New York Times. The study, which is based on questionnaires filled out by parents of nearly 8,000 children, was published in JAMA Pediatrics. The likelihood of developmental delays increased with the amount of screen time a child had.
The researchers observed that babies of young, first-time mothers; mothers with lower incomes and education levels; and those suffering from postpartum depression tend to spend more time in front of screens. At age 1, most children were exposed to less than two hours of screen time per day. However, 18% were exposed to two to less than four hours per day, and about 4% were exposed to four or more hours per day. Children in the latter group were significantly more likely to have underdeveloped communication, personal and social, and fine motor skills at age 2, according to CNN.
One possible explanation is that increased screen time reduces the opportunities for face-to-face interactions, which play a crucial role in teaching children about language and communication. The New York Times suggests that children learn to talk by being encouraged to talk, and watching a screen often denies them this opportunity for practice. Additionally, experts point out that excessive screen time is a sedentary activity that hinders the development of fine motor skills. They suggest prioritizing face-to-face interactions and providing children with books or toys instead of screens. It is worth noting that the World Health Organization recommends that 1-year-olds have no screen time at all.
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