Though the findings make it clear that young children actually shouldn’t be spending time playing with phones, tablets, or watching TV.
Officials, in reaction to this study, maintain that kids need to engage in activities that allow them to practice speaking, moving, etc. Simply watching this play out on a screen won’t work for very young children, as passive observation doesn’t replace real-life interactions.
Better alternatives for toddlers’ development
While JAMA Pediatrics’ findings shine a light on what to avoid, there are also some great tools that parents can use to put their kids on the course to healthy development.
Exposure to toys, coloring books, and other age-appropriate material can help toddlers progress as they should. Parents interacting with their young children, asking them to locate certain objects and playing matching games with them, can also go a long way.
Finally, health officials maintain that electronic screen time for older children may pose less harm once they’ve gone through the most crucial developmental stages.
