Once deemed the electronic babysitter, television has now been joined by numerous screens that cater to infants and children. From computers and tablets to in-car DVD players and screens in shopping venues, children today are inundated with digital media.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has issued a new policy statement indicating that electronic devices aren’t the most effective tools for children’s learning. Remember the benefits of traditional play?
The AAP first addressed media exposure for children under two years old back in 1999, recommending against television for young children. Although research data was scarce at that time, the AAP expressed concerns that television posed more risks than advantages for toddlers.
Insights on child development
Recent findings on brain development in young children support the AAP’s earlier stance: it’s crucial for children under two to minimize screen time. Investigations reveal that through unstructured play, children cultivate inventive thinking, enhance motor skills and reasoning capabilities, and improve problem-solving abilities. Children gain more valuable experiences from interactions with real individuals rather than animated figures on screens.
Excessive media exposure can also hinder language development when these children begin school, although further studies are needed to understand the underlying causes.
Additionally, watching TV before bedtime may disrupt sleep patterns and lead to poor sleeping habits, adversely affecting mood, learning, and behavior.
To assist in establishing screen time boundaries for your children and encouraging a healthy play-based learning approach, here are some recommendations from the AAP.
Guidelines for screen time for infants and toddlers
- avoid placing a TV in your child’s bedroom
- recognize that constant television exposure will influence your child
- prioritize playtime, both with your child and for them to explore independently
- enforce limits on screen time for children under two (the AAP advises against allowing electronic media for this age group)
