Families are encouraged to consider the recent discussion and current thinking surrounding the impact of screen time on young children. It has become increasingly prevalent in modern society for young children to engage in screen time on a range of devices on a daily basis. The risks associated with lengthy periods of screen time impact upon the child’s physical, social and emotional wellbeing, as well as their capacity to learn effectively.

Prolonged engagement with a device or television can lead to difficulties with social interaction, speech and language, making eye contact with others, concentration, focus and sleep.

Screen time should be balanced with other experiences such as outdoor play time.

It is important that screen time is balanced with other experiences. Young children need opportunities to play outdoors, connect with nature and engage in physical activity. They also need hands-on opportunities for creative and imaginative play. Most importantly, children need regular interaction and conversation with family members and peers as this is how they learn to communicate, interact with and relate to others.

Child development experts recommend limiting children’s daily screen time. The latest guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics suggest that children aged two to five years should have no more than one hour of screen time per day with adult supervision and interaction.

It is therefore recommended that families take a considered approach to screen time by ensuring that it is limited and supervised, and that this type of activity is balanced out with many other opportunities for play, learning and interaction.