The Effects of Screen Time on Children < 2: What the ResearchSays
Title: The Effects of Screen Time on Children Under 2: What the Research Really Says
In today’s digital world, screens are everywhere—phones, tablets, TVs, and laptops are often just a touch away. For many parents, screens become part of everyday parenting, from video calls with grandparents to baby-friendly shows during mealtimes. But what does the research say about screen time for children under the age of 2?
What About Video Calls with Family?
Video chatting with loved ones is the one exception experts make, as it provides real-time social interaction. It’s considered beneficial—especially when parents help interpret and engage during the call.
Why Screen Time Matters for Babies and Toddlers
The first two years of life are critical for brain development. During this time, young children learn best through active exploration, human interaction, and sensory experiences. Screen time, even when it’s labeled as "educational," typically offers passive engagement that may not support early developmental needs in the same way as real-world play and responsive caregiving. I don’t even think we need research to tell us the impact this can have for infant development but here goes.
What the Research Shows
1. Language Development May Be Delayed
A 2020 study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that increased screen time in infants was associated with delays in language development at age 3. The study emphasized that the more time a child spent in front of a screen at age 1, the more likely they were to experience developmental delays in communication and problem-solving skills later on. I have friends who work in schools and in language development and they have all believe there is a huge correlation between electronics and language.
Key takeaway: Screen time can displace essential language-building activities like face-to-face interaction, reading, and conversation. The outcome of some of these studies simply say, make sure you communicate with them both verbally and through facial expressions.
2. Screen Time Affects Sleep Quality
Research from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) highlights that screen exposure—especially before bedtime—can interfere with a child’s ability to fall and stay asleep. Blue light emitted from screens disrupts melatonin production, which regulates the sleep-wake cycle.
Key takeaway: Poor sleep in early life can impact mood regulation, learning, and behavior. I know from the work that I do, that poor sleep absolutely affects other areas of child development.
3. Reduced Parent-Child Interaction
A 2019 study in Child Development observed that when parents use devices during playtime, the quality of interactions drops. Babies are highly responsive to adult attention, and screens can create a “digital divide” between caregivers and children, weakening attachment and emotional bonding. For many children, taking away the device or switching off the television when their ‘time is up’ is a harder transition than if they never had it on at all. It can result big tantrums.
Key takeaway: Shared attention and responsive interactions are crucial for emotional and social development.
4. Limited Cognitive Benefits from Educational Media
Despite marketing claims, multiple studies (including those from the National Institutes of Health) have found that infants under 18 months struggle to learn effectively from screen-based media. They learn much better through real-life interactions, a concept known as the "video deficit."
Key takeaway: Babies don’t learn from screens as well as they do from live, in-person experiences but also, babies are given screens by us to entertain them, we are better off letting them play with their toys, but its hard to put the screens away as we rely on them now for so much; news, banking, staying in touch with friends and so on. We live our lives by them.
Recommendations from Experts
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends no screen time (except video chatting) for children under 18 months.
For children 18 to 24 months, the AAP suggests that parents choose high-quality programming and watch together, helping children make connections between the screen and the real world.
What About Video Calls with Family?
Video chatting with loved ones is the one exception experts make, as it provides real-time social interaction. It’s considered beneficial—especially when parents help interpret and engage during the call.
Final Thoughts: Intentional Screen Use Matters
It’s not about avoiding screens at all costs but being intentional. Babies and toddlers thrive on connection, play, and human interaction. While an occasional screen moment isn’t likely to cause harm, relying on it regularly can interfere with the experiences that matter most during early development. This can also be further complicated by the umber of children you have, in some cases keeping the younger children away from the Television is more challenging than if you just have one child.
Tips for Minimizing Screen Time:
Keep screens off in the background when not in use.
Designate screen-free zones (like the dining table and bedroom).
Engage in simple, real-world play: peekaboo, reading, singing, stacking blocks.
By understanding the research, parents can feel empowered to make informed choices that support their child’s healthiest start.
Want to talk about this? I am seeing more and more clients using technology during mealtimes both at home and in restaurants to keep them quiet or because they believe its an aid to help them eat. It can be a slippery slope for both behavior and creating eating issues.
