Children Have Screen-Time Overload? Study Shows Excess Screen Use Slows Brain Development In Preschoolers

For parents who rely on smartphones and tablets to keep their young children pacified, a new study may have some troubling news.

Published in the JAMA Pediatrics journal on Monday, the study utilized MRI scans and found that children ages 3-5 that had more than the recommended levels of screen-time showed lower levels of white matter brain development. White matter is tied to things like language use, literacy and cognitive abilities. The recommended level that researchers tested against was one hour a day, without parents getting involved.

“This is the first study to document associations between higher screen use and lower measures of brain structure and skills in preschool-aged kids,” lead author Dr. John Hutton said about the study. “This is important because the brain is developing the most rapidly in the first five years. That’s when brains are very plastic and soaking up everything, forming these strong connections that last for life.”

Hutton notes that children with high levels of screen-time have families with similarly high levels. These behaviors come together and result in fewer interactions between parents and their children during these critical years.

The versatility of modern screens is also put forward as a factor in cases of excessive screen-time, as children are able to take them everywhere including to bed or to meals.

“About 90% are using screens by age one,” Hutton said. “We've done some studies where kids are using them by 2 months old to 3 months old.”

Hutton’s study is another in a long line of reports about how newer technologies can obstruct healthy development when used excessively. In the past, studies have linked high levels of screen-time and TV viewing to behavior issues, slowed language development, sleep troubles, attention deficit and more.