What the Study Says
A recent study has found that young children who spend more time using screens—such as phones, tablets or watching TV—are more likely to show delays in their development. The study focused on children under 5 years old. It showed that children who used screens for more than 2 hours a day were often slower to reach important milestones, like learning to talk, walk or play with others.
This doesn’t mean screens are always bad—but when they take up too much time, they can replace healthy activities that help children learn and grow
How Screens Affect Children
When children watch screens for too long, they may miss out on important learning moments like:
- Talking with parents or friends
- Running, jumping or using their hands to play
- Learning how to solve problems or play pretend games
These real-life activities are very important for brain growth.
Screen Time by Age
Doctors recommend:
- Under 18 months: No screen time, except video calls
- 18–24 months: Only with an adult and high-quality videos
- 2 to 5 years: No more than 1 hour a day of good-quality content
It also helps if a parent or adult watches with the child and talks about what they see.
What Parents Can Do
Here are some simple tips:
- Set a daily screen time limit
- Play with your child using toys, puzzles or books
- Talk, sing and read together
- Keep screens out of bedrooms and during meals
- Be a role model — use your own screen less
Conclusion
Screens are a part of life, but too much screen time can slow down a child’s learning and growth. Young children learn best from playing, talking and moving. Try to keep a balance between screen use and real-life play. A little change every day can help your child grow strong and smart.