Screening the Screens: New Guidelines for Media Use for Babies and Toddlers
Today, not only are there more educational television and video programs available for babies, there are more screens to watch them on – television, handheld games, computers, built-in DVD players, smartphones and ipads. In a recent survey, 90 percent of parents said that their children under age 2 watch some form of electronic media, and these children are watching an average of one to two hours per day. By the time children are 3, almost one-third of them have a television in their bedroom.
Limiting screen use in children younger than 2 years
Ten years ago, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) issued its guidelines for limiting screen use in children under 2 years. The new AAP policy statement draws on the last 10 years of research. “Media Use by Children Younger than 2 Years” strongly urges parents to keep their little ones as screen-free as possible for the following reasons:
- There is no evidence to support programming marketed to infants and toddlers as “educational.” To have a benefit, children need to understand the content of a program and pay attention to it, which are not skills that children under 2 have developed.
- Unstructured, unplugged play time is more valuable for the developing brain than electronic media. During these freestyle play sessions, children learn to think creatively, problem solve and develop motor skills. Free play also helps children learn how to entertain themselves.
- Young children learn best from human interaction. Infant language development is directly related to the amount of time their parent or caregiver spends talking to them.
- Many families use television programs as part of a bedtime routine. In children younger than 3 years, television viewing is directly linked to poor sleep habits and irregular sleep schedules, which can adversely affect mood, behavior and learning.
- Children younger than 2 years who watch more television or videos experience language delays. Children younger than 1 year who watch a considerable amount of television have a much higher chance of having a significant language delay.
Tips for keeping your child as screen-free as possible
In order to give your baby the best chance for healthy brain development, follow these guidelines:
- Set strong limits on media use in children younger than 2 years, remembering that the AAP recommends avoiding all media use for this age group.
- Let supervised, independent play replace TV time. If you need to make dinner and can’t engage with your child, then let her play with blocks or other toys nearby.
- Do not put a television in your child’s bedroom.
- Understand that your own screen use can have a negative effect on your child’s development.
- Televisions that are turned on for background noise distract the parent and decrease parent-child interaction. This background media may also interfere with a young child’s ability to learn from play and human interaction.
- The best thing you can do for your child is give him unstructured play – both with you and independently.
Reviewed by: Patrick S. Pasquariello Jr., MD
Date: November 2011
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