Infant screen media and child development: A prospective community study

Examining the relationship between language development, executive function, and screen time: A systematic review

This systematic review study examines the relationship between language development, executive function, and screen time in early childhood. The early childhood period is a crucial phase for the development of the brain, during which fundamental language and executive function skills undergo rapid evolution. This review synthesizes findings from 14 peer-reviewed studies that focused on language development, executive function, and screen time together to provide a comprehensive understanding of their relationship. The findings of current study were categorized under four themes: screen content and adherence to guidelines, parent-child interaction and the family context, passive and active screen time, and attention issues. The findings suggest that interactive and educational screen content may positively influence language development and executive functions when aligned with recommended screen time guidelines. In contrast, excessive passive screen time, such as watching television, has been associated with negative impacts on cognitive and social skills, particularly affecting attention, memory, and emotional regulation. The prevalence of attention problems is found to be higher in individuals who engage in high levels of screen time. This highlights the necessity for balanced consumption of screen media. The review emphasizes the pivotal role of parent-child interaction, where high-quality engagement and verbal scaffolding during screen time can mitigate adverse effects. Furthermore, socioeconomic and cultural factors also play a significant role. Higher socioeconomic status (SES) families are better able to manage screen time and leverage educational content to support development. These findings have the potential to inform the actions of parents, educators, and policymakers. Adherence to recommended screen time guidelines can mitigate the potential negative impact on executive functions and language skills. Furthermore, the importance of limiting passive screen time and ensuring a balance between screen use and real-world interactions and play opportunities is also highlighted.

The Effect of Screen Habits and Alternative Activities on Tactile Exploration Skills in 6- to 36-Month-Old Toddlers

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

With the rising ubiquity of digital media and screens in everyday life, toddlers are increasingly exposed to different screens from an early age (i.e., television, computer, tablet, phone). However, few studies have examined the effect of these screens on toddlers' perceptual development. Since tactile exploration skills are necessary for environmental discovery and overall development, the current research investigates the links between screen-use habits and the tactile exploration skills (with visual control) of 6- to 36-month-old toddlers.

METHODS

The study involved observing the interactions of 135 toddlers with various objects and assessing the complexity of their visuo-tactile exploration strategies through two original experimental tasks. Data concerning screen habits and other relevant factors, such as socio-economic level, were collected using a parental questionnaire.

RESULTS

Toddlers with greater screen exposure time demonstrated weaker tactile exploration skills and employed less age-appropriate exploration strategies. Socio-economic factors and parental engagement in alternative activities significantly influenced these developmental outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings emphasize the importance of reducing screen time and promoting interactive co-viewing and alternative activities to mitigate the negative effects of screen exposure. Further longitudinal research is needed to determine the long-term impacts of early screen exposure on tactile exploration and overall psychological development.

Evaluation of Screen Time in Children Under Five Years Old

INTRODUCTION

Due to the rapid advancement of technology, there has been a noteworthy increase in the diversity and abundance of activities involving children. The most effective methods to enhance and facilitate children's media interactions are to minimize, reduce, use with caution, and establish healthy patterns. We aimed to evaluate media exposure of children below five years of age.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This is a prospective, observational, cross-sectional study that was conducted between December 2017 and September 2019 in Eskişehir, Türkiye. To assess the frequency of electronic device usage among children under the age of five, including televisions, laptops, tablets, and mobile phones, as well as its impact on their sleep patterns and physical measurements, and to evaluate families' understanding of the terms "screen time" and "back screen time," we developed a questionnaire.

RESULTS

We analyzed a total of 731 questionnaires: 334 (45.7%) were girls, 397 (54.3%) were boys, and the mean age was 33.55±16.37 months. Upon examining the technical equipment accessible to the children in our study, we found that 98.6% possessed a television, 96.9% owned a mobile phone, 54% had a laptop, 49.5% had a tablet, and 34.1% possessed a gaming console. The study revealed the following proportions of electronic devices in children's rooms: 13% televisions, 11.9% tablets, 7.4% laptops, and 7% mobile phones. There has been a substantial increase in the amount of time they spend watching television and playing computer games among children who have at least one sibling. There was a statistically significant disparity between the television viewing periods and the body mass index of children older than two years old. Additionally, we have seen a significant disparity in the presence of media devices in children's bedrooms and the subsequent impact on their sleep duration and patterns throughout both nighttime and daytime. Around 65.8% of parents did not know of the concept of screen time, while 88.4% of parents did not know of the concept of back screen time.

DISCUSSION

Parental compliance with the current guidelines for screen time is insufficient, among parents with children under the age of five, even though exposure to screens begins in the first months of life. Our analysis highlighted the necessity for parents to establish and enforce a unified and logical media usage policy for all children residing in the household. It is crucial to allocate sufficient time during the routine healthcare visit to discuss these recommendations.