How Our Screen Time Shapes Our Children

A Technological World

In a world surrounded by endless technological advancements, it can be challenging for parents to shield their children from screens and devices. It seems impossible to go a day without being on your phone, taking a call, sending a text, or doing something similar. Technology has become a lifeline we are bound to every day. However, as parents, we must protect our children, and we often do our best to steer them away from screens for as long as possible. This blog is not to say that our kids can never be exposed to technology, but we do need to be mindful of how much time we spend on our own devices in front of our children. A recent study revealed an association between parental screen time in front of children under five and its impact on various developmental and health outcomes.

Findings

The study examined associations with cognitive development, psychosocial health, motor skills, physical activity, and child screen time. The study included data from 14,000 families across 10 countries. The findings show that even a small amount of parental phone use during times with their kids was linked to less favorable outcomes for children. In terms of cognition, children had slightly lower cognitive skills, such as problem-solving and attention span, when their parents were often distracted by their phones. Children also showed more emotional struggles, like anxiety or withdrawing from activities. Behavioral issues were also observed to increase when parental phone use was higher. The study also found that children’s prosocial behavior, such as sharing, was slightly lower in kids whose parents used devices more during parent-child interactions. The study also examined attachment styles and found that children were a bit less securely attached, meaning they felt less emotionally connected to their parents. And, not surprisingly, the study also found that the more parents used screens around their kids, the more screen time the children had, too, which carries its risks. 

Wrapping Up

It’s essential to note that this study does not prove that using a phone causes developmental problems in children. Simply checking your phone now and then in front of your child won’t automatically harm them or their growth. Instead, the findings highlight a pattern worth paying attention to: frequent parent phone use may affect how children learn, behave, and connect. The goal isn’t to create guilt, but to encourage greater awareness and balance. You don’t need to be screen-free all the time, but setting aside regular device-free moments, especially during play, meals, and bedtime, can go a long way in nurturing stronger connections and healthier development.