Today’s digital era has made smartphones an entity that we never choose to be without. Smartphones play a vital role in our day-to-day jobs and often also help us destress each day, but the issue starts when we spend the majority of time with our eyes glued to the screen. Most adults are now aware of the importance of minimizing children’s screen time due to developmental impacts. But what many aren’t aware of is that parents screen time also plays a major role in adversely affecting children’s growth.
AMA Pediatrics revealed a comprehensive Australian prospective cohort study,” Screen Time and Parent-Child Talk When Children Are Aged 12 to 36 Months”. The core point of this study is how parents screen usage impacts children’s language development. So, the concern goes beyond how children’s screen time affects their development.
For the study, the group of researchers chose to utilize the advanced speech recognition technology that could help track the home language environment and screen exposure of children. The revelations stated how the parent-child interactions during formative years face disruption with prolonged parents screen time and the caregivers.
Also read: What Is Solo Parenting?
How Does Parents Screen Time Affect Child Development?
Researchers have found that children mimic their parents’ behavior, and when parents spend too much time on their phones or devices, it can negatively affect:
Read: Bonus Mom – All you need to know about
1. Parent-Child Interaction and Bonding
Less Engagement: Constant phone use can lead to distracted parenting, where parents respond less to their child’s verbal and non-verbal cues.
Delayed Language Development: Reduced face-to-face interaction can slow down a child’s ability to develop communication and social skills.
2. Emotional and Behavioral Effects
Increased Tantrums & Attention-Seeking Behavior: Children may act out or throw tantrums to gain attention when they feel ignored.
Emotional Detachment: Lack of meaningful eye contact and engagement can create feelings of emotional neglect in young children.
3. Cognitive and Social Development
Lower Social Skills: Less interactive playtime with parents can hinder the development of problem-solving skills and emotional intelligence.
Increased Screen Dependency: If children see parents constantly on screens, they may develop an early addiction to digital devices, affecting their real-world interactions.
Read also: A Little Screentime Is Okay?
Findings on Parents Screen Time
The research analyzed the screen habits of 220 Australian families, and in the process, they involved the strategy of monitoring the frequency and nature of parent-child talk across five developmental stages. That said, it took into consideration children aged 12, 18, 24, 30, and 36 months. The study made use of the Language Environment Analysis (LENA) technology for quantifying the children’s language exposure and their interaction with electronic devices.
One of the striking conclusions turned out to be the negative association between parents screen time and the intensity of the richness of language interactions that parents and their children utilize.
The interesting finding of the research is that every additional minute of screen time causes the children to hear fewer adult words, speak fewer vocalizations, and engage in fewer back-and-forth interactions.
All of this leads to a reduction in linguistic engagement, and this trend turns out to be quite common at 36 months of age. It’s worth noting that at this stage, an additional minute of screen time is responsible for a reduction of 6.6 adult words, 4.9 child vocalizations, and 1.1 conversational turns.
Must read: Are Your Kids Play Deprived?
Understanding Technoference
The study introduced “Technoference” and it has the reference to the digital device usage disrupting the opportunity for meaningful interactions between parents and children.
“Technological interference” brings out the details that parents screen time turns out to be the significant barrier causing children to not experience a language-rich environment at home.
There is a huge importance of a language-rich environment for language development during the early years. So what’s mandatory in this stage is the early exposure to broad vocabulary. Also, parents and caregivers should consider engaging in back-and-forth conversations as that will lead to early brain development. Only the proper management of screen time on both ends can be helpful in setting a foundation for better learning and social interactions. So the study’s results reveal the data that parents screen time diminishes interactions, inadvertently stunting children’s developmental potential.
Tips for Healthy Screen Time Balance as a Parent
- Set “No Screen” Zones: Avoid using phones during family meals and playtime.
- Be a Role Model: Limit your own screen time to encourage positive habits in your child.
- Engage in Face-to-Face Conversations: Prioritize meaningful interactions to strengthen emotional bonds.
- Use Technology Mindfully: If using a device, explain its purpose to your child (e.g., work or learning).
- Practice Digital Detox: Designate screen-free hours in your daily routine.
Conclusion
While technology is an integral part of modern life, mindful screen use is key to fostering a child’s emotional, cognitive, and social growth. Parents who model healthy screen habits can positively influence their child’s development, leading to stronger relationships and better overall well-being.
