If you have young children, you know that they are part of a generation of kids who are growing up with smartphones, tablets and other electronic devices. This may have you worried. What is all that screen time doing to your child’s developing brain?
First of all, when your toddler is watching TV or playing video games, they are engaging in a sedentary activity that requires very little energy. But more concerning is the effect screen time can have on your child’s learning abilities.
Young children learn by exploring their surroundings, watching the people around them, and interacting with both of those things. When your child is glued to a screen for too long, this can affect their brain development, impacting their social skills, behavior, and emotions. It can also lead to problems with vision, weight, sleep, and overall physical health.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, screen time should be avoided for kids under age 2 and older children should be allowed no more than 1-2 hours of screen time a day. Too much screen time is similar to an addiction and can be detrimental to a child’s physical, emotional, and mental well-being.
6 harmful effects of too screen time on children
1. Behavioral problems
Excessive screen time has been linked to aggression and other behavioral issues. Kids who have more than 2 hours a day of screen time are more likely to have angry outbursts or be irritable when they are not using these devices. They are also more likely to have emotional or attention problems.
2. Social problems
When a child spends too much time in front of a screen and not interacting with other people, they may have trouble with social interaction. They may not be able to pick up on nonverbal cues, which include facial expressions, tone of voice, and eye contact and which provide important insights on how to interact with others. This could lead to social and relationship problems later on in life.
3. Sleep problems
Sleep is essential for the healthy development of a child’s brain, affecting learning, memory, emotions, behaviors, and overall mental health. Electronic devices emit blue light from their screens. When exposed to this before bedtime, your child’s body may interpret blue light as daylight, causing their brain to signal the body to stay awake even after the screen has been turned off. Long-term exposure to blue light can result in disturbed sleep patterns and imbalances in your child’s biological clock.
4. Vision problems
Kids who are glued to screens for too long are at a higher risk of irreversible eye damage. Prolonged screen time can result in digital eye strain that may include burning, itchy, or tired eyes. Blue light is also damaging to the retinal cells and can speed up macular degeneration. This is also the cause of increased cases of myopia or nearsightedness in children.
5. Physical problems
Being hunched over smartphones or tablets for long periods of time can affect your child’s posture and developing spine. This can lead to harmful physical effects that can last for the rest of their lives, such as back pain and headaches.
6. Weight problems
As mentioned above, screen time is a sedentary activity. This, coupled with eating high-calorie junk foods, often leads to childhood obesity. When kids have meals or snacks while watching TV, they don’t have as much conscious control over what or how much they eat. Therefore, children who have a habit of eating during screen time are more likely to become overweight. Obesity can also lead to various health problems including diabetes, joint problems, and heart disease.
SLIDESHOW
Parenting Guide: Healthy Eating for Kids See SlideshowHealth Solutions From Our Sponsors
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/too-much-screen-time-harmful-for-kids-development-especially-those-under-age-5/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28168778/
Top What Too Much Screen Time Does to Child's Brains Related Articles
At What Age Does Gender Identity Develop?
Research shows that children recognize their own gender and gender in others starting as early as two or three years old.
Baby's First Year: Milestones Month by Month
When do babies learn to crawl? Start teething? Learn about major milestones in your baby's first months. Get tips on how to help baby learn, grow, and develop into a healthy toddler.
Baby's 1st Yr Slideshow
What developmental milestones can you expect to see during baby's first year? Find out when babies learn to smile, laugh, crawl, and talk.
Brain Picture
The brain is one of the largest and most complex organs in the human body. See a picture of the Brain and learn more about the health topic.
Common Infant Illnesses
Watch this slideshow to see common symptoms and home treatment for infant and childhood illnesses including fever, nausea, constipation and more.
How Do I Choose a Developmentally Appropriate Toy for My Child?
Most parents are worried about keeping their toddler or preschooler occupied in a way that will have a positive effect on their development. To choose a developmentally appropriate toy for your child choose open-ended toys, steer clear of electronics, stay away from educational toys and pick toys that will grow with your child and encourage them to be active.
How Can I Help My 5-Month-Old Baby’s Development?
Babies at five months of age are developing rapidly. Parents can help their five-month-old baby's development by talking and reading to their baby. Teaching, cuddling and entertaining your baby are important, too.
How Does Blue Light Affect Mental Health?
Blue light can affect mental health by interfering with the way our brain regulates mood, emotions and sleep. Excessive blue light can cause sleep and mood disorders, leading to depression.
How Much Screen Time Should Kids Have? Age by Age Guide
Pediatricians and child psychologists have recommended setting screen time limits for children. The limits generally vary based on the age group of the children.Is Blue Light Bad for Your Brain?
Blue light coming from gadgets, such as smartphones and laptops, is bad for your overall health. It especially affects the brain at night.
What Are Some Mistakes Parents Should Try to Avoid When Feeding Toddlers?
Most toddlers who are picky eaters have a normal appetite and exhibit age-appropriate growth patterns. Mistakes parents should try to avoid when feeding toddlers include watching TV at mealtimes, offering unhealthy snacks as a reward, feeding too many sugary foods, forcing the child to eat, serving portion sizes that are too big and other mistakes.
Brain Foods for Kids: Healthy Food for Kids’ Brains
Use this brain foods list to make your child smarter and healthier with these brain-boosting meals! Developing brains needs the right foods to boost learning and improve concentration.
What age is a child considered a toddler?
A child between one to three years of age is considered a toddler. This is the time that your child is progressing from being an infant to being able to attend a preschool. You will observe drastic changes in the social, emotional, motor and communication skills of your child.
Why Is Blue Light Bad for Sleep?
Blue light is a visible light spectrum with the shortest wavelength and highest energy. Exposure to blue light affects the sleep-and-wake cycle, or circadian rhythm, by altering the synthesis of melatonin in the brain.Why Is Blue Light Bad for the Eyes?
Blue light is part of the visible light spectrum with the shortest wavelength and highest energy. It can pass straight to the retina of the eyes through the passage to the cornea and lens.