A new study published this week in PLOS ONE reveals concerning patterns regarding screen use among young children. The research, one of the most ambitious on the topic, examined nearly 2,000 children aged 12 to 48 months across 19 Latin American countries. Its findings provide relevant evidence to the ongoing debate about the impact of technology on early childhood development.
The research concludes that young study subjects were exposed to screens—mainly smartphones and television—for significantly longer periods than recommended by pediatric associations. This trend appears consistent across social classes and nationalities, suggesting a widespread phenomenon that transcends socioeconomic boundaries.
Limited Educational Resources
It’s often assumed that screen overexposure is more common among specific social groups. However, Lucas Gago Galvagno, a scientist at Argentina’s National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET) and the study coordinator, explains that no one is immune to this trend, regardless of country or social status:
“Regardless of socioeconomic level and despite existing differences, screen use itself is high and exceeds the recommended time limits set by national and international pediatric associations.”
“This study did not directly evaluate income levels in each country or their relationship with screen use,” Gago Galvagno adds. However, previous research by this team revealed that “in LATAM countries with more vulnerable socioeconomic conditions, screen times tended to increase, and primary caregivers were less likely to engage in this activity alongside children.”
These findings are often interpreted through the lens of limited access to educational resources and recreational options among vulnerable families, longer working hours that reduce parenting time, a lack of safe public play spaces, the convenience of screen access, or a general lack of awareness about the negative physical and psychological consequences of screen exposure during early childhood.
It’s Not About How Much, But How
The study also offers a glimmer of hope: when adults actively share screen time with children and select educational content, some positive effects on language skills were observed. This suggests that the problem is less about how much time children spend in front of screens and more about how they use them.
“The main negative factor is the time a child spends alone on a completely passive activity, like unsupervised screen use,” Gago Galvagno explains. “We found that if an adult is involved or if the content is educational, language development tends to improve.”
Shared Play Spaces
This is because, in such cases, there can be interactive activities involving language and cues from the adult, which may also include storytelling or emotional interactions. “These shared play spaces are essential for optimal development,” notes the study’s lead author.
The research arrives at a critical time, as pediatric societies worldwide, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, advise against any screen use for children under two years old. Nonetheless, the study found that many children are already regular screen users before reaching this age.
The article argues that creating effective policies requires moving beyond simple time restrictions. Factors such as content quality, adult involvement, and usage context play pivotal roles in determining how screen time affects child development.
The Importance of Interaction
“In summary, the issue isn’t screen use per se, but the time and manner in which we engage with children during screen time,” Gago Galvagno concludes. “In our next project, we will develop a questionnaire to measure how adults interact with their children during screen use, to better identify the most harmful aspects and explore ways to leverage these ubiquitous devices to promote early childhood development.”
The authors emphasize that while their findings are significant, more research is needed, particularly long-term studies that follow these children’s development over time. (Vía Agencia Sinc)
