Taking care of a baby can be overwhelming. With screen time so prevalent today, Is giving your kid a screen to watch a good solution to calm them down? Will giving your child more screen time affect their development?

In August 2021, Jama Pediatrics published a longitudinal study looking at a little over 7,000 mother/child pairs between 2013 to 2017. The study found that heavier screen use was associated with poorer communication and fine motor skills measured at both two and four years old. Social skills and problem solving delays were found at one and two but no longer at four. “Screen Time” is a very broad statement that can mean many different things. A baby watching violent movies vs educational shows will make a difference. Parental input and screening are important. Different children can view the same exact program, one will see it as a positive program and the other child can see it as an anxiety inducing punishment.  Media can be effective when used in the right way although it will not be surpassed by playing with pets, siblings, adult nuzzling, or simply enjoying life.

 

Read the full article here!: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/life-refracted/202308/babies-screens-parents-and-developmental-delays

Ben Solomon

Research Assistant, UConn KIDS

 

---