WASHINGTON: A new study by The Ohio State University researchers found that using screens to calm young children does not affect every child in the same way.
To better understand this connection, researchers analysed data from Project Media, a long-term study by Brigham Young University that followed children from the age of 2.5 to 7.5 years.
They explored three possibilities – whether using screens to calm children affects their thinking skills, whether children's thinking skills influence how often parents use screens, or whether both influence each other over time.
The findings, published in the Journal of Communication, showed that, for most children, both factors worked together. Children who were harder to calm were more likely to be given screens, and this screen use then influenced the development of their thinking skills.
Those changing skills also affected how often parents used screens in the future. This shows that parents can be mindful of when and why they use screens. They can also help improve their children's thinking skills through activities such as reading, playing and spending time together.
However, the researchers found two smaller groups of children whose results were different. In one group, which included about six per cent of the children, the relationship between screen use and thinking skills was more complicated and could not be fully explained.
Meanwhile, in another group, representing about seven per cent of the children, screen use appeared to affect the development of thinking skills, but the children's thinking abilities did not influence how often parents used screens to calm them.
The study noted that parents in this group were more likely to report symptoms of depression.
"We found that parent mental health is a strong predictor of the way parents use technology with their young kids, because technology is a lever parents can pull when parents don't have the resources to cope with their own poor mental health," lead author Jane Shawcroft says.
Overall, the researchers say these findings show that parents, especially those facing mental health challenges, need more support and resources.
They suggest providing families with alternatives to screen time, such as outdoor activities, mindfulness exercises and community support.
Also, the researchers stress that helping children develop healthy technology habits should not be the responsibility of parents alone. Support from relatives, friends, neighbours and the wider community can also help families create healthier environments for children.
"I really wish the narrative around children and tech would be less about 'it's just a parents' job,' and more about this shared responsibility we have as a society to support children in this context we've built for them," Shawcroft concludes.
"If we want kids to be OK, part of that is helping their parents to be OK." – dpa
Those suffering from problems can reach out to the Mental Health Psychosocial Support Service at 03-2935 9935 or 014-322 3392; Talian Kasih at 15999 or 019-261 5999 on WhatsApp; Jakim’s (Department of Islamic Development Malaysia) family, social and community care centre at 0111-959 8214 on WhatsApp; and Befrienders Kuala Lumpur at 03-7627 2929 or go to befrienders.org.my/centre-in-malaysia for a full list of numbers nationwide and operating hours, or email sam@befrienders.org.my.
