Children exposed to high amounts of screen time during infancy and at school-entry age may experience negative impacts on their academic performance and working memory later in life, according to a new study. The research, published in the journal "World of Pediatrics" and conducted by scientists from Inserm and the National University of Singapore with support from the World Health Organization and the American Academy of Pediatrics, followed 502 children from infancy to middle childhood.
Results indicated that the effects were most pronounced in children whose excessive screen exposure occurred in early infancy, suggesting this developmental stage is a period of heightened sensitivity. Researchers observed that while screen use in two- and three-year-olds did not show significant links to decreased performance, the correlations re-emerged when children reached age six, coinciding with the start of formal schooling. This suggests that screen use continues to matter beyond the early years.
Another study commissioned by the 1,001 Critical Days foundation, led by the iADDICT team at four UK universities, also found that screen time for children under two years old is associated with adverse effects on long-term health and quality of life. This study concluded that no regular intentional screen time should be given to children under two.
Researchers involved in the iADDICT study noted potential links between screen time and overstimulation, sleep disturbances, eye health issues, and childhood obesity, though they did not establish definite linkages between specific developmental conditions and screen use. The iADDICT team is advocating for a "baby screen time risk assessment" to support families who may overuse screens with their children, emphasizing that parents should not be presented with content marketed as suitable for babies when evidence suggests otherwise.
Experts involved in the research stressed that parents' approach to screen time for young children needs to change, as they may inadvertently be teaching unhealthy habits. While the recommendation for children under two to avoid screen time is clear, some experts acknowledge the realities of modern life, noting that limited shared screen use, such as video calls with relatives or supported learning, can be normal.