Researchers say increased screen time could negatively impact children’s emotional reactivity. Over six months, the study examined how 422 parents use mobile devices to distract their children, ages 3 to 5, and how it impacts their behavior.
Children, particularly young boys, are more likely to exhibit emotional dysregulation due to frequent screen time to distract from disruptive behaviors such as tantrums.
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It’s essential to recognize your child when they have a challenging emotional moment, whether it’s screaming and crying about something, getting frustrated, hitting or kicking, or lying on the floor. Dr. Jenny Radesky, a developmental-behavioral pediatrician and lead author of this study, told CNN that using media to distract children or get them to be quiet is not working in the long run.
It is also possible for children to inadvertently learn through mobile devices in those moments that their behavior will get them what they desire if they use them. In addition, it eliminates the opportunity to teach them how to cope with difficult emotions.
Radesky recommended giving a child a relaxing and comfortable place to collect their feelings and thoughts instead of teaching them how to deal with their emotions. She explained that big emotions are okay and that we all need to reset sometimes. The World Health Organization advises parents not to expose children under one to screens.
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According to the group, infants younger than a year old should not be sedentary for more than 30 minutes. Instead, “reading and storytelling with a caregiver are recommended during the sedentary time.”
Children between the ages of 1 and 2 should avoid sedentary screen time (such as watching TV or videos or playing computer games).
“Sedentary screen time for children between the ages of 2 and 4 should be as little as 1 hour; less is better,” the WHO advises, encouraging caregivers to be “engaging in reading and storytelling” instead.