Researchers Are Advising That Children Entirely Avoid Screen Time Until The Age Of 2 Because It May Contribute To Unusual Sensory Behaviors Often Seen In ASD And ADHD
A recent study conducted by researchers at Drexel University has highlighted that early exposure to screens might make it harder for toddlers to interact with their environment.
Experts are now advising that kids under the age of two should completely steer clear of screen time.
This is because it could contribute to unusual sensory behaviors often seen in conditions like Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and ADHD.
These unusual behaviors might show up as a lack of interest in regular activities, a tendency to seek out stronger sensory experiences, or feeling easily bombarded by things like bright lights or loud noises.
For this research, the team examined data from 1,471 infants and toddlers below the age of 24 months, centering on television or DVD-watching patterns. Then, to evaluate sensory processing at 33 months, they used a questionnaire filled out by parents.
The children were divided into “high,” “typical,” or “low” categories depending on how often they exhibited different sensory-related behaviors, such as seeking sensory experiences, being sensitive to sensory input, and avoiding sensory stimulation.
The research found that 1-year-olds with screen time are over twice as likely to have sensory processing challenges by the time they’re nearly 3-years-old.
This adds to the increasing worries about the effects of screen time on young children, encompassing issues such as delayed speech, ASD, behavioral problems, attention challenges, sleep disturbances, and slower development in problem-solving skills.
“This association could have important implications for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism, as atypical sensory processing is much more prevalent in these populations,” said Karen Heffler, an associate professor at Drexel University.
EVERST – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only, not the actual child
“Future work may determine whether early life screen time could fuel the sensory brain hyperconnectivity seen in autism spectrum disorders, such as heightened brain responses to sensory stimulation.”
The study also shed light on how total screen time affects children. It found that for each extra hour of screen time per day at 18 months, the likelihood of sensory issues rose by 23%. By 24 months, every additional hour of screen time increased the risk of these problems by 20%.
This has pushed the researchers to advise against any screen time for kids younger than 1 year old and suggest keeping it to a maximum of one hour daily for children aged 2 to 5.
However, they did note an exception for video chats, considering that the social interaction it provides could offset the downsides of screen time, per the team’s findings.
“Considering this link between high screen time and a growing list of developmental and behavioral problems, it may be beneficial for toddlers exhibiting these symptoms to undergo a period of screen time reduction, along with sensory processing practices delivered by occupational therapists,” underscored Dr. Heffler.
David Bennett, the study’s senior author, also added that training and education for parents is critical for minimizing or even completely avoiding screen time among children under the age of 2.
To read the study’s complete findings, which have since been published in JAMA Pediatrics, visit the link here.
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