PARENTING IN THE DIGITAL AGE: Helping Young Children Thrive Beyond the Screen

These days, screens and digital media are everywhere. From phones and tablets to TVs in waiting rooms and restaurants, it’s hard to go anywhere without a screen and digital content in front of you. If you have young children, knowing how to handle screen time is likely top-of-mind. When it’s used thoughtfully, technology can be a helpful learning tool. On the other hand, too much screen time — especially in a child’s early years — can take place of important experiences that children need most: real-life connections with other people and experiences around them.

Screen Time Recommendations from Early Childhood Experts

The American Academy of Pediatrics provides clear guidance on screen time and digital media for young children by age.

• Birth to 18 months:  Try to avoid any screen time (except for video chats with family).

• 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, choose high-quality program content (PBS Kids and Sesame Street, for example), and watch the content together with your child.

• Ages 2-5:  Limit the child’s time in front of screens to about a total of 1 hour each day. Consider setting a timer to remind yourself and the child of when screen time is over. 
  

The key to healthy amounts of screen time doesn’t necessarily mean keeping your child away from technology; it’s more about how the screens are used. Young children learn the best through interacting with the people around them, not just by watching things.

Why Screen Time Matters in a Child’s Early Years

A child’s brain develops incredibly fast during their first five years of life. Connections in the brain are formed through everyday experiences like talking, playing, reading and exploring with the people around them.

One popular activity that helps young children is called “serve and return.” When a child makes noises or babbles, points to things or asks a question, they are “serving” a way to communicate with a caregiving. In response, the adult “returns” by making the same noise back, names the item the child is pointing to or answers their question. This simple way of communicating is actually very important to the child’s building important brain function. The back-and-forth interactions help with language development, emotional well-being, social skills and learning. When screens replace the opportunity to have these interactions, children miss out on essential developmental moments.

How Too Much Screen Time Affects Young Kids

Research shows that a lot of screen time during early childhood can impact many areas of important development, which can cause:

Language delays: Young children learn language best through communication with the people around them, not by listening to things on a screen.

Attention challenges: Screen content is often very fast paced, making it harder for young children to focus in slower settings of the real world.

Sleep disruptions: For people of all ages, screen use before bed can interfere with healthy sleep routines and winding down for sleep.

Reduced social interaction: The more time a child spends in front of a screen, the less time they spend interacting with caregivers and other children around them, which means less opportunity to build social skills.

More recently, researchers have been exploring a concept sometimes referred to as “virtual autism.” While it is not an official medical diagnosis, virtual autism has been used to describe developmental delays that have been seen among some young children with high levels of digital content exposure. 

Among these children, developmental delays have been found in speech, attention and social interaction. The good news is that these studies also show that when screen time is taken away, and real-life interaction increases, many children show noticeable improvement.

Tips for Families

Healthy screen time doesn’t mean taking screens away. Instead, focus on how to make sure your child’s time in front of a screen has a purpose and is well balanced with time they spend without access to it. 

1. Create screen-free opportunities.

   Find times during each day that can be spent without screens, such as mealtimes, right before bed, during car rides or when running errands, when possible. During these times, try to find ways to connect with your child — point and name objects (“there’s a fire truck!”), ask questions (“what sound does a fire truck make?”), sing together or read to them.
   

2. When screens are used, watch together.

   Watching programs together with your child can make a big difference in how they experience it. When you watch alongside them, you can still create opportunities to interact by talking to them about what’s happening. “What is that character doing?” “What do you think is going to happen next?” This is a way to turn the screen time into a learning and social opportunity.
   

3. Choose quality content when screens are used. Not all screen time is the same. Common Sense Media, a website with ratings and reviews on various media content, can help you find age-appropriate and educational programs that can make the most of your child’s screen time.
   

4. When a child wants screen time, offer simple alternatives they may even enjoy more. You don’t need expensive toys or a lot of planning to keep young children entertained. Simple activities can be enjoyed by both you and your child:
   

   1. Reading books together

   2. Singing songs and nursery rhymes

   3. Playing with blocks, puzzles or (child safe) household items

   4. Drawing or coloring

   5. Spending time outside for a walk or playtime
      

5. Be an example of how to use screens responsibly.

   Children learn by watching the adults. Think about how you spend your free time and how much time you spend with screens in front of you. Consider putting your phone away while you’re playing with your child. Not only will they see that you don’t have to have a screen in front of you to have fun, they will also benefit from building stronger connections with your undivided attention.

Building Strong Foundations for Young Children

A child’s early years are incredibly important for helping to create healthy habits and introduce developmentally appropriate activities. While technology and screens will continue to evolve and be part of modern life, they simply can’t replace the connections and experiences between kids and the people around them who help them grow and thrive best.

For more information on family support resources, developmental milestone activities, and much more, visit the Child and Family Resource Network blog or contact us for family support services.