Why Gadgets Are Harmful for Toddlers: A Study on Screens and Anxiety
Scientists in Singapore have studied how screen time affects young children and uncovered an unexpected link. It turns out that toddlers who spend a lot of time using digital devices before the age of two are more likely to experience anxiety in their teenage years.
Bloomberg reports this, citing a study published in the journal eBioMedicine.
The research was conducted by specialists from Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research together with the country’s National University. Over a period of more than ten years, they followed a group of 168 children. During this time, each child underwent three brain scans, allowing scientists to track changes at different stages of development.
What did the researchers find?
Children who were frequently exposed to screens before turning two showed changes in brain regions responsible for vision, thinking, and behavioral control. Researchers described this as “premature maturation” of neural connections, likely a response to the excessive amount of information young children receive from screens.
Interestingly, this effect was not observed in children who began actively using gadgets at the age of three or four. This suggests that the first two years of life are the most vulnerable period.
What happens later? At the age of 8.5, children with these altered brain regions performed worse on tasks requiring quick decision-making. By age 13, they were more likely to show elevated levels of anxiety. Researchers emphasize that what happens in a child’s earliest years can influence mental health many years down the line.
But there’s good news
Scientists say the negative effects can be reduced. In 2024, the same research team conducted a follow-up study and found that when parents regularly read to their children and actively engage with them, this helps offset the harm caused by passive screen viewing.
Practical takeaway for parents: the first two years of a child’s life are critical for brain development. During this time, it’s best to keep screen exposure to a minimum and prioritize face-to-face interaction and reading instead. If questions about children’s use of digital devices remain, it’s best to rely on expert guidance. You can learn more about safe screen-time limits and the appropriate age to introduce children to screens in our article, “Screen Time Recommendations by Age”.
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