​Screen time might delay functional, communication development in toddlers, finds study​

A new study has found that greater screen time for children aged 1 year was associated with developmental delays in communication and problem-solving at ages 2 and 4 years. For the study, which has been published in JAMA Pediatrics, more than 7,000 kids were involved to understand the domains of developmental delay which are communication, gross motor, fine motor, problem-solving, and personal and social skills.

Screen time is the amount of time that individuals spend watching television, playing video games, and using mobile phones, tablets, and other electronic devices, the researchers have said. There is a growing concern about the increasing hours of screen time engagement in kids as it leads to physical inactivity and hence obesity. The World Health Organisation (WHO) advises limiting screen time in kids to 1 hour only and engage them in leisure activities.

Several studies have worked on the effect of mobile phone usage on the overall development of kids. The main development areas which are affected as communication, daily living skills, socialization, gross and fine motor skills, problem-solving skills, personal and social skills, developmental screening test total scores, cognitive development, socioemotional development, language development, attention problems, behavioral problems, and developmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder.

The findings of the study were based on a questionnaire in which participants were asked the following: “On a typical day, how many hours do you allow your children to watch TV, DVDs, video games, internet games (including mobile phones and tablets), etc?” There were 5 response categories: none, less than 1, 1 to less than 2, 2 to less than 4, or 4 or more hours per day. This new study found that: more than 4 hours of screen time per day was associated with developmental delays in communication and problem-solving across ages 2 and 4 years.

Health experts have urged parents to cut down screen dependency in kids as it hampers their sleep cycle and overall well-being. "Improving physical activity, reducing sedentary time and ensuring quality sleep in young children will improve their physical, mental health and wellbeing, and help prevent childhood obesity and associated diseases later in life," says Fiona Bull, WHO program manager for surveillance and population-based prevention of noncommunicable diseases, as per a report available on American Optometric Association.

​​6 simple exercises that can help your kid grow taller​​

The WHO recommends that children between 1-2 years should spend at least 180 minutes in a variety of types of physical activities. These activities can be moderate to vigorous intensity and spread throughout the day. "For 1-year-olds, sedentary screen time (such as watching TV or videos, playing computer games) is not recommended. For those aged 2 years, sedentary screen time should be no more than 1 hour; less is better," the WHO says in its guidelines based on the recommendation of the Commission on Ending Childhood Obesity and the Global Action Plan on Physical Activity 2018–2030.