Impact of Screen Time on Children

In today's digital world, children are gaining access to devices at an increasingly early age. To keep their children entertained or engaged, understandably, many parents turn to digital devices such as iPads or mobile phones, allowing them to take a much-needed break or attend to their responsibilities.   

Digital devices provide both convenience and educational benefits; however, early and excessive exposure can significantly impact a young child's developing mind. In addition, habitual use of devices can heighten their risk of exposure to various online harms as they age.  

TOUCH Cyber Wellness sheds light on the impact of excessive screen time on children and shares valuable insights and practical tips to empower parents in guiding their children to navigate the digital world safely, responsibly and confidently.  

WHAT DOES EARLY AND EXCESSIVE SCREEN TIME DO TO CHILDREN?  

COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT  
Research from the GUSTO (Growing up in Singapore towards Healthy Outcomes) study found that high levels of screen time during the early years can negatively impact cognitive development and executive functioning in later childhood [1].   

“Executive functioning” (EF) is like the brain's control center. It's a set of mental skills that help us manage our daily lives and achieve our goals. Think of it as the "boss" in your brain that helps you plan, focus, remember important things, and control your actions and emotions. It also accounts for creativity, decision-making and adaptability, highlighting just how vital the development of executive function truly is!   

Young children exposed to more screen time may experience EF slower development in their executive functions in their later years [2]. Another study has found that screen time exposure in children between 1 and 2 years of age may have lasting effects on executive function development [1].  Further research has shown that children as young as 18 months who get their first screen time in front of electronic devices, including computers and television, may experience sleep disturbances, as well as emotional and behavioural difficulties [3].   

As children shift from supervised to more independent exploration of the digital world, sometimes sooner than ideal, this established pattern of device reliance can make them particularly vulnerable.   

DIGITAL HARMS 
As children spend more time online, often without supervision, it increases their risk of encountering various online threats such as cyberbullying, inappropriate or violent content, online predators, and even developing addictive behaviours related to internet use and gaming.  

Additionally, constant connectivity and unrestricted access to information can present significant challenges for young minds that are still developing as they lack the critical thinking skills necessary to navigate the complexities of the digital world.   

They may struggle to distinguish between credible and unreliable sources, or become more susceptible to peer pressure and media influence. Without the proper guidance from parents along with the maturity and skills needed for responsible screen time management, children are at greater risk of encountering online harms and developing unhealthy online habits from an early age.   

HEALTHY SCREEN TIME MANAGEMENT TIPS FOR PARENTS 
Here are some principles and tips to help parents manage their children’s screen time and adopt positive online habits as a family.   

Engage children with activities: Cultivating healthy habits in your children begins at a young age. Instead of relying on digital devices to keep them occupied, introduce them to engaging and enriching activities such as story books, board games, building blocks, puzzles, or arts and crafts. These activities not only provide entertainment but also offer valuable developmental benefits, fostering creativity, social skills, and cognitive development. Beyond simply introducing them to non-digital activities, parents can actively participate in them with them whenever possible. By modelling a balanced lifestyle that includes activities beyond screens, you show your child that there's a rich world to explore offline.  

Understand the difference between low and high stimulating media content: While we discourage screen time for very young children, it's important to understand the difference between low and high stimulating media content when screen time does occur for toddlers.   

Low stimulating media is characterised by slower pacing, simple storylines, muted colors, soft sound effects and calming background music, natural conversations and rich vocabulary., Such media focuses on educational content and prosocial skills. Examples include shows like Little Bear, Puffin Rock, and Sarah and Duck [4].  

High stimulating media typically features fast-paced storytelling, quick-speaking characters, bright, flashy colors, loud noises and music, rapid scene changes, and fantastical elements. Popular examples include shows like Cocomelon, Paw Patrol, and Blippi [5].  

Research suggests that low stimulating content is generally better for toddlers because of two main reasons: 
Attention Span: High stimulating content may reduce attention spans and create addiction-like behaviours. 
Brain Development: Excessive exposure to rapid image changes may overstimulate a young child's developing brain, potentially leading to attention problems later.  

If you need to introduce videos to your young child, prioritise low-stimulation content that encourages interaction, imagination, and learning. Whenever possible, parents should also prioritise high-quality, age-appropriate programming and, co-view with their children to enhance the educational value of the experience [6].  

Spot teachable moments or learning points and encourage open conversations: For instance, when watching a cartoon with your child, you might notice a character saying, “It’s so boring to clean my room!” Use this as an opportunity to connect instead of letting it pass. Pay attention to what the character says next, then pause the show at a suitable moment to start a conversation: “Do you think cleaning your room is boring too? I agree—it’s not the most fun thing to do. But why do you think it’s still important?” This approach sparks meaningful discussions in a natural, relatable way.  

Or in another scenario: If your child encounters something online that makes them uncomfortable—such as a mean comment, a strange message, or an upsetting video—they might mention it to you or seem visibly uneasy. Use this as an opportunity to start a gentle conversation: “I noticed you seemed upset earlier—did something happen online?” If they open up, respond calmly: “I’m glad you shared this with me. Sometimes, we may come across things online that don’t feel right. What do you think we can do when that happens?” This approach not only addresses their immediate concerns but also empowers them with the know-how to handle similar situations in the future.   It’s essential to engage your child in open and positive conversations about digital use and adopt a curious mind to find out what they are thinking about or doing online. Remember, create a safe space for your child and assure them that if they ever feel confused, uneasy, worried or threatened at any point in their online interactions, they are free to approach you for help, without being reprimanded or judged for their actions.   

Be aware of their online activities: According to the 2022 Parent-Child poll commissioned by Media Literacy Council and TOUCH Community Services, involving 300 parent-child pairs, 7 in 10 parents believed they are aware of what their child does online but are less confident about the knowledge of their child’s online activities as their child grows older. Understanding your child's online activities is crucial for effective parental guidance. When you have limited awareness of the websites your child visits, the apps they use, the content they consume, and the people they interact with online, it becomes challenging to engage your child in meaningful and effective conversations about digital use and provide the necessary guidance to ensure their online safety and help them adopt good online habits.   

Discuss potential risks they may encounter online: For instance, if your child plays the game Roblox, do you know which features make it safe or unsafe? Are you aware of how the chat functions work—are they fully public, or do they allow private messages? What potential issues might your child encounter on the platform? Having this knowledge not only helps you stay informed but also enables you to address specific risks, such as scammers pretending to offer Robux (game currency) in exchange for access to your child’s account. By staying aware, you can better prepare to discuss these topics and proactively guide your child toward safer online practices.   

Encourage open communication by showing genuine interest in their online world. Ask open-ended questions and listen actively to their sharing. Seize opportunities for casual chats to share bite-sized safety advice that are relevant to their online activities. Discuss potential online risks like cyberbullying and scams, including specific strategies for handling such situations. Empower your child with the knowledge and skills to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly, emphasising what they can do to protect themselves.  

Establish ground rules and clear actions to take: You can create a safe and healthy online experience for your child by working hand in hand with them. It may help to establish clear ground rules about online interactions.   

At TOUCH Parenting, we teach our parents these 4 aspects to set boundaries for, especially for young children who needs CLEAR and SIMPLE rules: Location, Content, Time, Behaviour. The rules have to be clear and easy for a young child to understand. For example, Time: "they can go online from 6-7pm", instead of “can go online after dinner till bedtime”.  Behaviour: “No using devices during mealtimes” instead of “disconnect to connect”. These ground rules may include setting restrictions on talking to strangers or sharing personal information on the internet, as a way to protect them.   

Tap on resources and tools: Utilise available resources and tools to help your child develop healthy online habits and navigate the digital world safely. TOUCH Cyber Wellness offers practical and engaging parent-child resources through our First Device Campaign, designed to support families as children receive their first devices and begin their digital journey. The First Device Campaign resources and tools will empower parents to play an active role in their child's digital lives and nurture them to become safe, responsible and confident cyber users. Find out more here.   

Being mindful of the effects of screen time on your child is only the first step. Help them thrive in this digital age and become a safe and responsible cyber user by proactively engaging them in open and positive conversations about digital use and establishing healthy online habits as a family!   

TOUCH Cyber Wellness (TCW) is an award-winning and leading pioneer in the field of cyber wellness and new media literacy. It has spearheaded efforts to reach out to 360 schools and more than 1.6 million children, youths, parents, educators and counsellors. Through mentoring and advocacy, TCW has engaged Singapore youths to address social and behavioural issues of excessive cyber usage. It delivers a range of pre and post intervention programmes that instil the principles of good digital citizenship in the community.  

Sources
1.  “Effects of screen exposure on young children’s cognitive development: A review” The Child, Jul 2021, https://thechild.sg/wp-content/uploads/sites/25/2021/07/EI_002_CHILD_Impact-of-Screen-Viewing-on-Cognitive-Development_For-Circulation-digital.pdf  
2. “Impact of screen viewing during early childhood on cognitive development” Frontiers in Psychology, 17. Aug 2022, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9431368/ 
3. Kimberly, Lim. “Children exposed to digital devices at an early age may have emotional and behavioural difficulties: Study”TODAY Online, 12. Nov 2019, https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/children-exposed-digital-devices-early-age-may-have-emotional-and-behavioural-difficulties 
4. “TV Detox FAQs” raisewildflowers, https://raisewildflowers.com/tv-detox-faq “
5. Gentle Screen Time for Kids: High vs. Low-Stimulation Shows” Empath,  https://www.empath.ph/blog/gentle-screen-time-for-kids-high-vs-low-stimulation-shows 
6. “How Media Use Can Affect Kids” KidsHealth,   https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/tv-affects-child.html