I wanted to start the New Year off with a hot take; There is absolutely zero reason to put a screen in the face of a child under the age of 1.
I would go so far as to say that until children are 2, the only reason they should see a screen is to FaceTime or Skype with distant relatives.
But wait, you might be saying, these shows teach good life lessons and are teaching my child how to count (or something). Listen friend - they really aren’t. At these young ages, the only thing the toddler mind comprehends is flashing lights and colors. The content is almost utterly lost on them.
I’m not trying to shame anyone who has put on a show for their kiddos - I’m saying you probably are not aware of just how harmful it really is to do so. We, as parents, are inundated with the “best” educational or developmental shows or videos for our kids to help them “learn,” but the truth is we have been lied to. Our babies do not need a screen in front of their face, ever.
The first three years of life are critical developmental years, and studies have shown that introducing screens and shows too early can lead to a whole host of negative outcomes. Including (but not limited to): an inability to focus, delayed speech, delayed cognitive function development, higher risks of obesity, increased aggression, decreased gray matter in the brain, and sleep disruption.
Seriously. The blue light from screens inhibits melatonin production and can disrupt sleep patterns. This is true in adults too, but it is especially harmful in young children as they need a lot more quality sleep while their brains and bodies are growing and developing.
Sleep isn’t the most concerning piece though. JAMA pediatrics did a study and concluded that excessive screen time in 2 year old may lead to problems focusing when those same children are 5. Basically, the constant dopamine hit from the colors and movements on the screen handicaps the child’s brain development so much so that they literally do not know how to focus. It can also lead to behavioral problems, like more tantrums and angry outbursts when the TV / tablet is not available. Basically, providing a screen to entertain your child on a regular basis prevents them from learning how to focus and it prevents them from learning how to deal with boredom. No, it isn’t causing ADHD or Autism, but the addiction and withdrawal symptoms from watching these shows look like ADHD or Autism. Which means, if your child watches TV and has been recently diagnosed . . . it might behoove you to remove all traces of these shows from their lives completely and let their brains heal.
Some of the TV shows that are produced and marketed for children are so overstimulating that their brains treat it like a highly addictive drug . . . because it is. Which means we, as parents, should definitely not introduce these shows to our kids. If you already have, not all is lost. It is important that you find a way to cut the show out of your life though.
Our kids deserve the best we can give them. This starts with being aware of what our actions are really doing to our children. We might think we are giving them a treat (their favorite show), but in reality we might be shrinking their brain. That sounds crazy, but the more studies they do on addiction to devices, the more apparent it is becoming that our screens are literally shrinking our brains (by decreasing gray matter). Granted, this last study (linked above) was done on adults, but imagine how much worse it is for our babies who’s brains are still trying to develop.
We need to do better.
This is not a call to never ever let your child see a screen - after all, almost every restaurant I’ve been to in the last few months has at least one playing in the corner - but it is a call to reflect on just how often you allow your child to see a screen. If your toddler is less than 5 and they get more than an hour of screen time a day, I encourage you to find a way to cut that back. It may be painful. They may throw a fit. Do it anyway. You are the parent. Do what’s best for them. Their future depends on it.
You might be rolling your eyes and thinking “I need a moment of quiet time to myself for my sanity, so no thanks.'“ Hear me out friend - the earlier you cut out the screen time from your toddler’s life, the earlier you’ll see the positive benefits and a calmer child.
Also, you should know that some shows are worse than others. Shows like Cocomelon, Baby Einstein, and Blippi should be avoided at all costs. If you cannot get rid of the TV or screen time, opt for slower paced shows with more neutral color schemes (like Winnie the Pooh, yes the old version). Either way, I encourage you to turn off the TV and take away the tablet. They might fuss. Let them.
I say this all with love, and if you don’t believe me than I implore you to do your own research. Literally just google “the problem with screen time for kids.”
Cheers.
References:
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Guidelines on Screen Time and Children
Pediatrics Journal: Screen Time and Physical Health
JAMA Pediatrics: Screen Time and Attention Issues
JAMA Pediatrics: Early Screen Time and Developmental Outcomes
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