Think twice before handing your baby a screen, UK experts caution

Experts are concerned that some young children are turning to digital devices for comfort instead of seeking reassurance from a parent or caregiver. (Envato Elements pic)

PETALING JAYA: Handing a smartphone or tablet to a restless toddler may seem like an easy way to keep them occupied. But researchers are warning that regular screen time before age two could do more harm than good.

According to The Guardian, a landmark review of global research has concluded that babies and toddlers under two should not receive regular, intentional screen time, citing potential risks to their development and overall well-being.

While the review does not establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship between screen use and developmental problems, researchers said the evidence was compelling enough to warrant greater caution and clearer guidance for parents.

Among the concerns identified were reduced opportunities for babies to bond with parents and caregivers, less physical play, delayed language development, sleep disturbances, overstimulation, poorer eye health and an increased risk of childhood obesity.

The researchers also raised concerns that some infants are increasingly turning to digital devices for comfort instead of seeking reassurance from a parent or caregiver.

The review, carried out by experts from four UK universities, is described as the most comprehensive assessment yet of available global evidence on screen use among children under two.

Co-lead researcher Rafe Clayton believes parents are being left to navigate an increasingly digital world without enough support.

“They are inadvertently teaching children and babies to develop unhealthy habits and relationships with screen devices,” he told The Guardian. “This has to change.”

Current guidance in England already recommends avoiding screen time for children under two, while allowing that shared activities such as video calls with relatives or interactive learning may sometimes be appropriate.

However, the researchers say such advice risks being misinterpreted and could lead some caregivers to believe regular screen use is developmentally safe. This potentially increases the risk of delays among children who are already vulnerable, they argue.

The team is therefore calling for a review of existing recommendations on screen use during infancy and a dedicated “baby screen-time risk assessment” to help identify families whose children may be showing early signs of developmental difficulties.

Andrea Leadsom, founder of the 1,001 Critical Days Foundation, which campaigns the period between pregnancy and age two, described the findings as “a wake-up call”.

“The evidence increasingly suggests that screens offer limited benefits for babies and may carry significant risks during their first 1,001 days – the most important period of human development,” she said.