Mobile Phones for Babies: Many parents hand over a mobile phone or tablet to try to soothe their baby. Within seconds, the baby becomes engrossed in watching the screen and stops crying.
Disadvantages of screen time in children
Why Babies Under 2 Should Avoid Screen Time: Nowadays, as soon as a young child cries, many parents hand them a mobile phone or tablet to calm them down. Within seconds, the child becomes engrossed in watching the screen and stops crying. While this method may seem easy, experts say it can cost the child their future. Let us explain how you are creating problems for your children.
Can have long-term effects
Researchers from four British universities have reviewed numerous studies on screen time in infants and children under two years of age. The report suggests that children should be deliberately kept away from mobile phones, tablets, or any other type of screen during the first two years of life. Researchers believe that screen time offers no significant benefits at this age, while its harmful effects can have long-term effects.
What things can cause problems?
According to the report, children who regularly watch screens from an early age may have a slower language acquisition rate. They may often become more interested in screens than in conversations with their parents. Such children may be delayed in speaking and may even speak initial words like "mommy" or "daddy" relatively late. Experts say that a child's early years are a period of rapid brain development. During this time, they learn by interacting with people around them, observing facial expressions, playing, and touching new things. If this time is spent in front of a mobile screen, their learning process can be affected.
There may be distance from parents.
The study also revealed that children who watch too much screen time may develop a weakened emotional bond with their parents. Gradually, they may develop a habit of calming themselves by looking at their mobile phones instead of coming to their parents' lap when crying or feeling restless. This can have a long-term impact on their emotional development. The researchers also stated that excessive screen time can disrupt children's sleep. It can also affect their eyes, reduce physical activity, and increase the risk of obesity in the future. Mobile use at an early age also deprives children of opportunities to play outside, run around, and understand the world around them.
What do children need
Experts involved in the research say that while it's difficult to completely avoid screens in today's digital age, deliberately giving mobile phones or tablets to children under two years of age is not a wise decision. They believe that at this age, children most need conversations with their parents, games, stories, and loving touch, as these things lay a strong foundation for their mental, emotional, and language development.
