In recent years, screens have become the true queens of our society. On top of the already excessive time we used to spend in front of the television, other screens have joined in: computers and, especially, smartphones and tablets. Their use has increased significantly in recent years with the rise of social media and instant messaging apps. This trend worries more and more parents, mainly because it is not easy to control children’s screen time. In this article, we explain how screens impact the development of your little adventurer and offer some recommendations for reasonable use.

Impact of screen abuse on children

Before the age of three, young children develop primarily through social interactions, exchanges with those around them, and the use of their five senses. Motor, cognitive, spatiotemporal, and language skills are acquired through playing, manipulating, and touching objects, through the conversations you have with them, and through real-world experiences. This time spent playing, moving, exploring, interacting, and discovering is therefore essential for children’s development and should not be replaced by screens, especially for children under three years old. As various studies show, screen use in children has a significant impact on their development and can cause both physical and cognitive problems.

This is important because, even if it may not seem like it, screens have a direct impact on minors’ brain development. A study published in early 2020 in a prestigious scientific journal and conducted with a preschool-aged population showed that increased screen time in children was associated with a decrease in white matter in the brain, which could ultimately harm language development. It is not the only study to take this stance. Another study, published a year earlier in the same journal, concluded that children who spent more time on screens at two and three years old showed fewer developmental milestone capabilities at three and five years old, respectively.

But as we said, this—important as it is—is not the only impact of screen overuse in children. The blue light from screens affects vision, causing dry eyes and potentially promoting the development of myopia. It also directly affects sleep, increasing the likelihood of sleep-onset disorders, especially if screen use occurs in the last hours of the day. The Spanish Society of Sleep (SES), in this regard, recommends not using screens at least two hours before bedtime, as the blue light from screens inhibits the secretion of melatonin, the sleep hormone.

Finally, the overuse of screens also has a direct impact on children’s motor development, as prolonged use keeps children away from more active play and encourages sedentary behavior. This screen-driven sedentary lifestyle can ultimately increase the likelihood of developing overweight or obesity.

Screens in children: usage limits by age

According to leading medical and scientific societies, it is recommended to adapt children’s screen use to their age. Specifically, according to data from the American Academy of Pediatrics collected by the Spanish Association of Primary Care Pediatrics (AEPap):

• De 0 a 18 meses: It is recommended that young children not be exposed to screens, except for the specific use of video calls (WhatsApp, Skype, Zoom, etc.) to connect with long-distance family.

• De 18 a 24 meses: Limited screen use is allowed, as long as it involves high-quality programs or applications and is shared with parents—never alone.

• Between 2 and 5 years old : The recommendation is very similar to that of the previous group, although the usage window is extended to one hour per day.

• Between the ages of 6 and 12 The maximum time is extended to between one and two hours daily, but that use must also be supervised by parents.

Tips to limit screen time in children

As we mentioned at the beginning, we live in a “screen-obsessed” society, so it is not easy to keep children away from them. However, at LILLYDOO, we offer you a series of tips to help you in this battle that can feel lost from the start:

• Establish clear rules for use and operation: This is especially important from ages 3–4 onwards, when little adventurers are better able to understand limits and rules. However, we recommend that you make sure they have understood them correctly and also explain any possible exceptions to the rule.

• Give an example: Try to reduce your own screen use when you are with your children. Remember that you are their example to follow.

• Don't use screens as "child shut-offs": It is very easy to turn to screens to distract children when you need to do something or want to enjoy a quiet dinner with your partner, family, and/or friends at a restaurant. However, this habit can lead children to demand more screens later. There are alternatives to screens such as books, coloring, board games, etc. Make the most of them!

• Promueve actividades al aire libre : It is easier for a child to ask for a screen if they are bored at home. That is why encouraging outdoor activities (deportivas, culturales, juego con iguales, etc.) is a great way to reduce the temptation of screens.

• Encourages the use of screens for educational and creative purposes : Not everything on screens is negative, so instead of using them only for videos or games, an interesting idea could be to use that time for educational apps—for example, to learn to read—as well as creative ones. Google Play and the App Store are full of these types of applications.

That said, keep in mind that, despite all your good intentions, screens are an integral part of daily life—for you and for your children. So you are not a bad mother or a bad father if, one day, while you are taking a shower, you let your child watch their favorite cartoons on YouTube. We know how useful a screen can be from time to time to help everyone enjoy a calm moment. 😉 The important thing is that screen use does not become a routine or take up most of your child’s leisure time. A good balance is key!