A new study by academics from the University of Canterbury has found a link between excessive screen time in toddlers and poor language skills and behavior in children aged four and eight. The research tracked over 6,000 children for eight years, discovering that those who spent more than one and a half hours daily on screens had weaker vocabulary, communication, and social skills.
In contrast, children who adhered to the recommended one-hour daily limit had better language skills, higher education levels, fewer behavioral problems, and were more sociable. The study also found that excessive screen time was associated with a higher risk of being in the bottom third of their class educationally by age eight.
The researchers analyzed data from over 6,000 children aged two to eight, including those who owned smartphones as young as two years old. They discovered that a linear relationship existed between screen time and negative outcomes, with the most significant impact observed at high levels of exposure. The study’s findings have implications for parents and caregivers seeking to protect their children from excessive screen time and promote healthy development.
Source: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/01/19/how-90-minutes-of-screen-time-day-affects-child-development