It is a common sight to see children as young as five playing games, watching videos, or scrolling through apps on smartphones. In the fast-paced lives we are leading today, this may seem like a harmless way to keep them entertained, but the consequences of this early screen exposure could be serious and long-lasting. A recent research has warned that early and excessive screen time may have a profound impact on children’s health.
A recent study published in the Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, found that younger adults in the age group of 18 to 24, who had received their first smartphone at age 12 or younger were more likely to report suicidal thoughts, aggression, detachment from reality, poorer emotional regulation, and low self-worth.
“Our data indicate that early smartphone ownership — and the social media access it often brings — is linked with a profound shift in mind health and wellbeing in early adulthood,” says lead author neuroscientist Dr Tara Thiagarajan, who is the founder and Chief Scientist of Sapien Labs.
Children who received smartphones as young as five experienced worse mental health scores than those who first owned a phone at 13.
The study noted the scores progressively declining, the younger the age of first ownership. Participants who got their first smartphone at age 13 had an average score of 30, while those who owned one at age five scored just 1.
Dr Saurabh Khanna, Director – Paediatrics & Neonatology, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram in an interview with Financial Express.com talked about other health issues of excess screen time before the age of 13.
Developmental delays
Engaging in screen time of two or more, below the age of age, can pose many health challenges from “delays in communication, problem-solving, to critical thinking abilities.”
A 2018 NIH study revealed that children with over seven hours of daily screen time exhibited thinning of the brain’s cortex, which is connected to reasoning and language skills.
Decline in social and emotional skills
Children who start using mobile phones from very early age, especially before 12 or 13, may face trouble in expressing their emotions and forming emotional bonds.
Dr Khanna notes that excessive screen use can hinder face-to-face interactions, resulting in challenges in interpreting social cues, articulating emotions, and forming relationships.
Early puberty
Studies indicate that exposure to blue light emitted by screens may interfere with melatonin production, potentially elevating reproductive hormones such as estradiol and luteinizing hormone, which could initiate early puberty, especially in girls. A study presented at the European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology observed these effects in female rats after merely six hours of blue light exposure. While research on humans is still in progress, this raises significant concerns regarding hormonal alterations in children.
Mental health issues
Extended screen time is linked to heightened risks of anxiety, depression, and emotional dysregulation among children and adolescents.
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that time spent on screens could alter the structure of young children’s brains. The kids who spend the most time on screens, in the study, scored lower on vocabulary and reading skills and took longer to name everyday objects.
How kids can stay away from screen
Dr Khanna suggests the following activities to help kids ditch the screen:
Encourage physical activity: Engaging in physical activity promotes cardiovascular health, lowers the risk of obesity, boosts mood, and aids in brain development by enhancing blood circulation and neuroplasticity. Additionally, it mitigates the effects of a sedentary lifestyle associated with screen time.
Promote imaginative and creative play: Engaging in imaginative play fosters cognitive development, enhances problem-solving abilities, and improves emotional regulation, thereby counteracting the cognitive delays associated with excessive screen time.
Cultivate social interactions: In-person interactions enhance social and emotional skills, addressing the deficits that arise from excessive screen time.