Limiting Screen Time In Early Childhood Can Protect Brain Health for Years to Come

The internet age has made parenting more complicated than ever. Our growing dependence on technology has raised questions about how screen time is impacting brain health in adults and children alike. A new study out of Singapore has brought to light the ways that screen time in early childhood can alter brain development. Researcher’s findings provide valuable insight in understanding how screen time can impact brain development.

The cohort study examined the effects of screen time on brain development in kids ages 1-2. Follow-up brain imaging was used to track developmental changes from ages 4 to 13. MRIs of children who were exposed to screen time from ages 1-2 showed impairment in networks of the brain associated with visual-cognitive integration, later in childhood. This led to difficulty making decisions, less cognitive flexibility and an increased risk of anxiety in adolescence.

On the flipside, when caregivers engaged in non-screen activities with children ages 1-2, brain development improved significantly. Researchers noted that shared reading with children ages 1-2 was particularly helpful in promoting healthy brain development. Limiting screen time, especially in the first two years of a child’s life and engaging in more non-screen activities with parents can have life-long benefits for kids.