Many parents turn to mobile phones and television screens to keep their young children occupied and calm, especially during busy times or tantrums. However, excessive use of these devices during the first years of life raises concerns about its impact on a child's growth and development, making it essential to regulate screen time. The first two years of a child's life are a critical stage in brain development and acquiring basic skills.
According to guidelines from the World Health Organization and the American Academy of Pediatrics, children under 18 months should avoid using screens, except for video calls that allow them to communicate with family members. This aims to encourage direct human interaction, which plays a vital role in a child's development during this stage. For children between 18 and 24 months, parents can gradually introduce suitable educational content, participating in and interacting with what is displayed.
The early years of a child's life witness rapid brain development as they learn to understand their surroundings through daily experiences and direct interaction with others. Children acquire skills gradually by touching objects, listening to words and sounds, and observing facial expressions. These experiences help them explore their environment and build sensory and social abilities. Although electronic devices provide diverse content, they cannot replace the real-life interactions children need in their early growth stages.
Concerns about excessive screen use are linked to delayed language skills, particularly when children spend more time on devices than engaging in conversations with parents. The potential effects also extend to how children manage their emotions. When mobile phones become the primary means of calming children during anger, sadness, or distress, it may reduce their chances of learning to express and deal with their emotions with parental assistance.
Using screens late at night, especially before bedtime, can affect a child's sleep quality and routine. Fast-paced content with loud sounds and rapid scene changes can increase alertness, making it harder for children to prepare for sleep. Spending extended periods on devices can also impact free play, physical activity, and environmental exploration, which are essential for a child's growth and skill development.
Parents can help their children develop healthy daily habits away from screens through simple activities that promote communication and family interaction. For example, mealtimes can encourage children to discover and explore different foods, participating in family atmospheres rather than relying on videos to keep them calm. Alternative activities that can productively occupy children's time include age-appropriate games, picture books, and listening to songs.
These recommendations do not aim to completely ban children from using technology or make parents feel guilty about using it but rather to achieve balance. When providing digital content, parents should choose age-appropriate materials, monitor what their children watch, and participate in the experience as much as possible. This helps make technology use more conscious and safer for children.
Key points
- Excessive mobile phone use can hinder children's language development and sleep quality.
