Page 77 - Javanan Magazine Issue # 1883

PSYCHOLOGICAL
PSYCHOLOGICAL ISSUE No. 1882
ISSUE No. 1856

PERSPECTIVES JAVANAN
PERSPECTIVES
JAVANAN
Dr. Alan A.
Modarressi LOGICAL PERSPECTIVES
Clinical and A SOCIOCULTURAL AND MIND AND BODY OUTLOOK
Neuro-Psychologyst
In this column, we examine the mental health issues in the context
of social, culture, and physiological concerns of the Iranian community
IMPACT OF SCREEN TIME ON BABYS” BRAINS

Excessive Screen Time Tied to Developmental Delays

n today’s tech and media-driven the Ages & Stages Questionnaires, previous studies indicating only a skills. As parents negotiate screen
world, many parents use screens which assessed 5 domains: com- minority meet the recommenda- time for their young kids, focusing
Ito keep young children enter- munication, gross motor skills, fine tions. This latest research provides on sharing activities like co-reading
tained or distracted while they jug- motor skills, problem-solving, and compelling evidence that overdoing e-books could help minimize poten-
gle other needs. It works. Screens personal-social skills. screen time in early childhood could tial harms.
captivate children’s attention in a The results revealed a dose-de- negatively impact language, critical In the future, further research
way almost nothing else does, al- pendent relationship between screen thinking, and other essential cogni- could explore whether certain types
lowing parents a bit of a breather. time at age 1 and developmental tive abilities as kids grow. The ef- of screen exposure benefit toddler
But what is the impact of screens on delays at ages 2 and 4 in the com-
young brains and how much screen munication and problem-solving fects may persist over years. development, along with pinpoint-
time should they be exposed to? domains. Children who had over 4 However, not all screen activities ing sensitive periods when screens
Brain scientists who study the im- hours of screens per day as 1-year- are created equal. The study could are most detrimental. For now,
pact of screens on baby brains don’t olds were nearly 5 times more likely not distinguish between passive en- when in doubt, limiting devices and
have all the answers yet, but what to show communication delays at tertainment like TV watching versus choosing other engaging activities
they do know will help parents un- age 2 compared to those with un- interactive, educational apps and is the safest bet for giving little ones
derstand how critical it is to provide der 1 hour per day. They were also programs, which may nurture some the best developmental foundation.
off-screen experiences. Only then over 4 times more likely to exhibit
will children learn, improve their problem-solving delays.
social and cognitive skills and be While the delays in communica-
healthier and happier in the future. tion and problem-solving persisted
How much time should toddlers at age 4, the effects on motor skills
spend staring at screens? With and personal-social skills disap-
smartphones, tablets, and TVs be- peared by this time, suggesting these
coming ubiquitous fixtures of mod- domains were not impacted long-
ern life, this question weighs heavy term by early screen exposure.
on many parents’ minds. This research highlights how ex-
Handing your baby a phone or cessive screen time as a toddler may
tablet to play with may seem like a interfere with key cognitive abilities
harmless solution when you’re busy, like learning to speak, understand
but it could quickly affect their de- others, and figure out how the world
velopment, a new study has found. works. The rapidly changing visual
A new study published in JAMA stimulation and passive watching
Pediatrics suggests that excessive do not provide the kinds of hands-
screen time as early as age 1 can on, interactive experiences babies
hamper children’s communication need to build their communication
skills and problem-solving abilities. and problem-solving skills during
Researchers in Japan analyzed formative developmental windows.
data from over 7,000 mother-child While screens can be useful tools
pairs who participated in the To- in moderation, the American Acad-
hoku Medical Megabank Project emy of Pediatrics recommends
Birth and Three-Generation Cohort avoiding digital media for children
Study. under 18 months, except for video
Mothers reported the daily screen chatting. For ages 18 to 24 months,
time for their children at age 1, they advise parents to choose only
grouped into 4 categories: less than high-quality programming and
1 hour per day, 1 to 2 hours, 2 to 4 watch together with children. For
hours, and 4 or more hours. ages 2 to 5, screen time should be
The children’s development was limited to just 1 hour per day.
then evaluated at ages 2 and 4 us- But the reality is that many tod-
ing a standard questionnaire called dlers far exceed these limits, with

DANESH FOROUGHI, PH.D. Alan Modarressi, PhD, QME
Licensed Clinical Psychologist, PSY13680 Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Licensed Marriage, Family & Child Psychotherapist, MFC23455 Qualified Medical Evaluator
Certified National Board of Addiction Examiners #4974 Certified Psychophsychologist
Tel: (310) 940-3642 Diplomat, American Academy of Pain Management
15720 Ventura Blvd., Second Fl. #224 Encino CA 91436 (818) 501-6080 (562) 861-7226

78