Reflections on screen time for young children
by Richard Waite on November 13
Quick Read
• Early Childhood Technology and Online Safety Advisor, Richard Waite, reflects on screen time for young children, and tells us that when used with adult support and engagement, screen time is not a scary monster.
• Children are exposed to screens from an early age, with some studies showing that around 50% of children have used a mobile device by the age of 1.
• Drawbacks of screen time for young children can include potential impacts on physical and mental health, including sleep and early development. However, adult role modelling of use of screens, and adult involvement in children’s time on screen is important to develop positive relationships with screen time and reduce health and wellbeing concerns.
• Benefits of screen time include education opportunities, social connections, encouraging creativity, and exposure to new ideas and cultures. This is especially true when significant adults participate in the screen time with young children.
• Families can consider focusing on quality over quantity, establish clear boundaries for screen time, watch with and engage in their child’s screen time, and encourage a balance of different kinds of activities, that include but are not limited to screen time.
When I hear the current conversations around screen time for young children, I can’t help but imagine a Smartphone or Laptop under a child’s bed, both with bright red eyes and long scary teeth about to gobble them up, or as some research would have you believe, will stick a straw in their ear and suck their brains out. Call me dramatic or compliment me on my vivid imagination – that comes with working with children!
This article is timely as there seems to bee (not a typo) a real buzz around screen time and young children/ teenagers – from smartphones to laptops and computers. And that’s accompanied by the buzz word ‘BAN’ – in relation to keeping young children away from screen devices.
On the 4th September 2024 a BBC Panorama documentary discussed the use of Smartphones and the impact it was having on children. I’m happy that Panorama remained neutral, including evidence from two professionals on both sides of the debate.
Pete Etchells was in that documentary, and I think he would agree that ‘screen time is not a scary monster’. He has written a book to dispel some of the concerns and myths around screen time – Unlocked: The Real Science of Screen Time (and how to spend it better).
The main concern in this case is the use of / access to poorly regulated social media platforms, such as TIK TOK, Snap Chat and many others, especially around age verification. Something I’ve noticed, which may well be the same for many parents, carers and educators, is that innovation moves so fast that I’m already out of touch. I mentioned Facebook to one of my nephews the other day and he looked at me as if to say ‘you’re so old and embarrassing uncle’. I redeemed myself by being the only person who could fix his gaming computer!
Let’s start by looking at some statistics around screen use.
Age of first exposure to screen time for young children
Many children are exposed to screens at an early age. Studies indicate that a significant number of infants and toddlers (under 2 years) are using screens, with some reports noting that around 50% of children have used a mobile device by the age of 1.
Daily Screen Time
By preschool age (2-5 years), children often average about 2-3 hours of screen time per day, which can include television, tablets, and smartphones. For older children (6-12 years), screen time can increase significantly, with averages often reported at around 4-7 hours daily, depending on the sources.
What are the drawbacks of screen time for young children?
- Physical Health
Excessive screen time is linked to a sedentary lifestyle, which can contribute to obesity and related health issues. It can also lead to problems like eye strain and sleep disturbances.
I agree with this 100%. It also applies to adults who spend excessive time on their own devices. It is important to remember that children will mimic what they see from their role models, family and friends.
- Mental Health
Increased screen time, particularly on social media, has been associated with higher rates of anxiety, depression, and decreased self-esteem among children and adolescents.
In a world of social media influencers telling us how to look, cyber bullying in and out of schools, and the need for children – and adults for that matter – to be ‘liked’, the association with an impact on mental health is no surprise. This is where parents’, carers’ and educators’ involvement is paramount, keeping a loving (not disapproving) eye on what their children are doing online and teaching them Online Safety.
- Developmental Concerns
Too much screen time for young children can interfere with critical development stages. It can hinder social skills, language development, and cognitive growth due to reduced interaction with caregivers and peers.
If Screen Time is used as a ‘babysitter’, then I agree. However, if we make screen time a focused, engaged and time-limited experience with parental/carer or early years educator involvement it can be an educational and or social experience full of language and fun.
- Sleep Disruption
Screen use, especially before bedtime, can disrupt sleep patterns, leading to insufficient sleep, which affects overall health and cognitive function.
This applies to anyone regardless of age, and it is about controlling the screen devices not the devices controlling us. All Smartphones these days have built in software that we can employ to control their use.
- Attention Issues
Some research suggests that excessive screen time may be associated with attention problems and difficulties in concentrating.
The key here is getting some research done; I still believe we are nowhere near any conclusive evidence. In my own experience, I have seen young children very focussed and engaged in screen time activities that require strategy, problem solving and critical thinking.
What are the benefits of screen time for young children?
- Educational opportunities
Many apps and websites offer educational content, games, and activities that can help children learn new skills, explore different subjects, and develop problem-solving abilities. During the pandemic children who had no access to technology were put at a huge educational disadvantage, which may have consequences later on in their education and learning.
- Social connections
Children can connect with friends and family who live far away through video calls and online platforms, fostering social relationships and communication skills. During the pandemic we saw how important Smartphones, Laptops and Computers were for families to stay in touch while we were all told to stay at home. It was particularly hard for young children and technology played an important role during that time. Depression and Anxiety was highest among those without internet access and the technology.
- Creativity and imagination
Some screen activities, such as drawing apps or storytelling platforms, can encourage children to be creative and express themselves.
- Exposure to new ideas and cultures
The internet provides access to a vast amount of information and resources from around the world, allowing children to learn about different cultures, perspectives, and ideas.
Recommendations
Health organisations, like the American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP), recommend limiting screen time for young children and encouraging more interactive, educational content. They also emphasise the importance of co-viewing and discussing content with children and promoting active play and real-world interactions.
For the most current statistics and findings, consulting recent studies or reports from reputable health organisations is advisable, as this area of research is continually evolving.
Key considerations for parents when thinking about screen time
- Quality over quantity: Focus on choosing high-quality, educational content that aligns with your child’s age and interests.
- Set limits: Establish clear guidelines for screen time for young children, including daily limits and specific timeframes.
- Balance: Encourage a variety of activities, including outdoor play, reading, and social interactions.
- Co-viewing: Watch screens with your child and discuss the content together to help them understand and interpret it.
By carefully managing screen time and ensuring a balanced approach, parents can help their children benefit from the positive aspects of technology while minimising potential risks.
Final Thoughts
I have been thinking about something very close to my heart especially in my career as an Early Years Educator for 39 years, and that is Inclusion.
When I studied for my Degree in Education and Information management, we were introduced to a report released by IBM in 1999 titled “The Digital Divide: Technology, Access, and the school,” which explored the growing gap between those who had access to digital technology and those who did not. The report highlighted the disparities in access to computers and the internet in schools, particularly in rural and low-income communities.
IBM are still leading in this area where in 2021 they and 29 other companies signed a Digital Inclusion Charter. In a time where digital is becoming increasingly important, the digital divide is bigger than ever, and weighs heavily on the social integration of the most vulnerable.
Like most discussions around technology and young children, screen time is about striking a balance. Many of the fears are to do with online safety (see the Online Safety Act in the links below) and the lack of control of technology that parents can feel, rather than the screen time devices themselves.
Our own engagement with young children and screen time will help them to use devices to enhance and enrich their learning, and to regulate how they do this.
Screens are definitely not scary monsters to be feared.
Links/further reading/bibliography
Bibliography
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2024/09/02/panorama-can-we-live-without-our-phones-bbc-one-review/
https://www.freethink.com/health/goldilocks-hypothesis
https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/pete-etchells/unlocked/9780349432939/
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0956797616678438
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/online-safety-act-explainer/online-safety-act-explainer