Early-Life Screen Time Linked to Multiple Harms: Global Group Releases Alerts

A global group of developmental researchers and specialists is simultaneously sounding the alarm that excessive screen exposure is a “serious developmental risk factor” for children from birth to age 3—the most sensitive and rapidly growing period of human brain development.  

This Group formed out of an informal meetup in Dublin in 2022, at the World Association of Infant Mental Health (WAIMH) Congress.  At the Congress, Dr. Karen Heffler, an early childhood development researcher and Jenifer Joy Madden, a healthcare journalist and advocate, both from the US,  joined forces in their concern that evidence showing early-life screen time as a risk factor for serious developmental harms was not being widely disseminated or understood.  At the conference, Heffler’s presentation detailed a link between screen time and autism-like symptoms.  At the same symposium, presenters from Germany, Italy, New Zealand, and other countries showed evidence of a variety of screen-related developmental concerns. 

WAIMH members from 7 nations attended the post-conference meetup that attracted attendees’ attention with a flyer stating, ‘We’re Dublin down on baby and toddler well-being.’ 

The group, now called GAINING (The Global Alliance for Inspiring Non-tech Infant Nurturing and Growth), was formalized through monthly meetings held since the initial meetup. At last count, the alliance has members from 37 nations. 

GAINING now consists of child development specialists, practitioners, researchers and advocates on a mission to raise worldwide awareness of babies’ crucial need for physical play and face-to-face back-and-forth human engagement and of the cognitive, emotional, and relational risks associated with regular and prolonged screen exposure.  

The group cites research emerging globally over the past six years associating screen exposure with disruptions to babies’ cognitive, physical and social-emotional development. These developmental concerns include speech delay, attachment problems, behavior changes, autistic-like symptoms, challenges with processing usual sensory experiences, and differences in how infant brains form and operate. 

GAINING members hope to enhance basic understanding of how screen time can pose difficulties for the development of infants and babies, occurring through multiple pathways, including through the direct effects of sensory hyper-stimulation on the developing brain. 

“Technoference”— when a caregiver’s attention is focused on a digital device while an infant is present—can cause the baby psychological and physiological stress and interfere with the caregiver’s responses to the baby’s needs. 

Time spent viewing screens displaces the critical social, play and real-world sensory experiences that young children need to thrive. 

When TVs, phones and tablets are used to calm and entertain babies, it can lead to compulsive viewing and make it harder for them to learn to manage their emotions. 

Having the TV on for prolonged periods in the presence of babies, even if it appears they are not watching, distracts them from their play and reduces their interaction with caregivers so they hear fewer words and it is harder to learn to speak. 

Many apps and shows made for babies, toddlers and preschoolers use manipulative design techniques to keep very young children glued to the screen, such as fast-paced editing which makes it hard for babies to disconnect. 

“The research tells us that screens distract babies from paying attention to people, distract the parents and caregivers from paying attention to the babies, and may directly affect early brain connectivity and attention mechanisms,” according to Heffler, who is a researcher in the Department of Psychiatry, Drexel University College of Medicine. “Parents, providers and governments need to know about findings from the new research in order to make the best choices for babies’ well-being.” 

GAINING members also will remind the world about how to support baby brain-building and development: through multi-sensory physical play and responsive “serve and return” engagement which parents and other caregivers are naturally equipped to do. Similar to playing ball, babies learn how to speak and interact through “serving” a sound or expression to caregivers who “return the serve” with soothing words, smiles, and gentle touch. 

GAINING has prepared three “Awareness Alerts” based on global research findings for the information of parents, healthcare providers, and government agencies. 

GAINING simultaneously released the Alerts on April 23, which is World Infant, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Day. 

Based on guidelines recently updated in many countries around the world, GAINING Alerts recommend that at least until age 2, babies should not be exposed to screens except in supervised video chats with loved ones. Three out of four children under age 2 now exceed those recommendations, but studies also show parents who learn the guidelines allow significantly less screen time. 
 
In its alert to government agencies, GAINING highlights the potential financial benefits of preventing the negative effects of excessive screen time in early childhood. 
 
Governments can invest in awareness campaigns to promote healthy early childhood development. Greater parental awareness at the earliest time may help to decrease screen-related developmental delays and the societal costs for therapies, educational supports for children, and loss of productivity from parents. 

To assist parents who want to limit screen use, governments are encouraged to support the establishment of screen-free nurseries, childcare centers and preschools, and lending libraries for non-tech toys. 
 
Just as pediatricians and other healthcare providers teach parents about their babies’ nutrition, healthcare providers can help parents care for their babies’ brain health. The healthcare provider alert also encourages discussions with parents about family screen usage, starting with prenatal visits and each well-child exam thereafter. 
 
The “News to Know” alert inspires parents to be confident that they are equipped to provide exactly what babies need: one-to-one attention, words, gentle touch, reading time, and playtime indoors and out with non-electronic playthings. Strategies suggested for screen management at home include having screen-free places and times, such as in bedrooms and during meals, and for parents to seek help when overwhelmingly depressed or anxious. 

Find the Alerts, supporting research, and parent resources and join the GAINING movement at the project website: MyBabyGains.org. 

This article represents the view of its author(s) and does not necessarily represent the view of the IACAPAP's bureau or executive committee.

IACAPAP Bulletin, Issue 78