Cellphones, iPads, TVs, and computers are all around us these days. They are integrated into our every day lives in a way that many couldn’t have even imagined 20 years ago! Screen time is a hot topic that I’m often asked about, and is associated with a lot of parent guilt; is it REALLY that bad? How can we work it into our day? Here are my go-to tips surrounding screen time.
The “official” recommendation: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 0 screen time for children under 18 months with the exception of interactive video calls, limiting to only educational programming with a parent 18 months - 24 months, and limiting screen time to 1 hour on week days, 3 hours on weekend days for children 2-5.
The “why”: Research shows that increased screen time is correlated with expressive language delays; here’s some data:
A study from the Hospital for Sick Children in Canada followed almost 900 young children between six months and two years of age [2]. They found that the toddlers who were exposed to more handheld screen time were more likely to have delayed expressive language skills (i.e., the child’s ability to say words and sentences was delayed). They also found that for every 30-minute increase in daily handheld screen time, there was a 49% increased risk of expressive language delay.
Another study surveyed over 1,000 parents of children under the age of two. They found that toddlers who watched more videos said fewer words. For each additional hour of videos that eight- to 16-month-old infants watched in a day, they said an average of six to eight fewer words.
Additional problems associated with screen time: Sleep problems, academic difficulties, weight problems, mood problems, poor self-image and body image issues
How to plug in: We know that the AAP’s recommendation is a lofty goal in realistic parenting. While it’s good to always aim for minimal screen time, (this is especially true if your child is already presenting with a language delay,) not all screen time is created equal. A goal here can be “joint media engagement,” meaning that you interact with your child around screens just like you would interact with your child around any kind of media (books, arts and crafts, etc). When you read a book, you point to pictures and label. Try the same for on-screen visuals! When you paint, you talk about the colors, actions and show what you’ve made. Talk about actions in apps or in shows, and carry over concepts into real-life activities (e.g., Daniel Tiger pretends to be a doctor, you play doctor!) Opt for video calls with family, open-ended apps (“choose your own adventure,” “fill in the blanks,” etc.) and TV shows that allow for fill-ins and movement opportunities (think, “you try it!”). The biggest factor that makes screen time more beneficial for your child is parent involvement. If you can watch a show with your child, add comments as you’re watching! “The boy is running! He’s so fast!” “They’re dancing! Let’s dance, too.”
The Take Away: Always aim for minimal screen time. We know that children learn best through every day interactions and traditional play, so that should always be the focus! That being said, all screen time is not created equal. An episode of educational programming here and there is not likely to harm your child, and there’s no need to feel guilty for allowing it! Join in whenever possible to add language models, interaction opportunities, and movement breaks to make screen time more beneficial, and choose your content carefully.
Jackie Anderson, MS CCC-SLP is the owner of Ascend Speech Therapy, LLC, and a licensed speech-language pathologist. Jackie provides in-home speech therapy services in Ocean County, New Jersey and Monmouth County, New Jersey, and offers teletherapy for all of New Jersey and Maryland.