'Unfounded and premature': Why experts say parents shouldn't panic about screen time
A new study suggests that concerns regarding screen time and child development may be overstated, finding no significant link between device usage and developmental issues. Experts remain divided, noting that the study's data predates the current ubiquity of smart devices.
Why it matters
This research challenges prevailing parenting anxieties and suggests that the quality of screen use may be more important than the duration.
A new international study, based on data from over 3,000 children, found no link between screen use duration and developmental difficulties at ages five or 10. Researchers in the UK spoke with the families of children back in 2009 and 2010 and followed their development for the subsequent 10 years. Over that time, there has been some criticism and debate about the role of technology in parenting, and whether young people born in the 21st century will be a screen-addicted generation. The iPad was released in Australia in 2010, and a child growing up around this time is sometimes referred to as an 'iPad baby'. While the findings are limited by self-reported survey data, Australian experts say the results counter popular messaging about parenting and technology.
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