New Research* has brought into focus the potential adverse effects of screen time on early development. This is especially true for babies. So, I thought it would be wise to revisit this topic. 

First, how much screen time are we talking about here? The studies show that prolonged screen time (2-4 hours a day) for babies under age 1 is linked to delays in language and social/emotional skills at ages 2 and 4. Even for infants exposed to only 1-2 hours of daily screen time, there are observable delays in development.

These delays happen because infants develop language and social skills through back-and-forth interactions (like eye contact, facial expressions, varied vocal tones, and spoken words) that happen with caregivers. A screen cannot respond to a baby’s smile, actions, or vocalizations. That takes YOU!

*NIH study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10353947/

*JAMA Pediatrics: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10353947/