Excessive screen time linked with development delays in toddlers: study

A recent study has drawn attention to the potential negative impacts of excessive screen time on the development of toddlers. The research, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Pediatrics, sheds light on the connection between screen time and delays in speech development and problem-solving abilities among young children.

Ranging from 1-3 years old, children exposed to higher amounts of screen time were more likely to experience setbacks in key developmental areas. The research highlights delays in speech acquisition and problem-solving skills as particularly noteworthy outcomes of prolonged screen exposure.

The study was done on 7,097 children and it was found that having 1-4 hours of screen time per day at age 1 is linked with a higher risk of developmental delay in problem-solving, fine motor, and in communication.

One of the most concerning aspects highlighted in the study is the link between excessive screen time and speech development delays. According to the research, toddlers who spent significant hours in front of screens were more prone to encountering difficulties in acquiring language skills. It is also worth noting that the study has several limitations as per experts.

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