A recent study has indicated that young kids who spend time on tablets might struggle with controlling their emotions leading to potential outbursts of anger. The research, published in JAMA Pediatrics highlights how children using tablets excessively can disrupt their regulation and contribute to prolonged screen time.
Researchers, from the Université de Sherbrooke in Canada discovered a rise in tablet usage among young children jumping from a mere five minutes in 2020 to a remarkable 55 minutes in 2022. Some 4 year olds even have their devices now. This sharp increase in screen time could have effects on the health, academic performance and social development of preschoolers as they miss out on interactions, with family and friends that aid them in learning to manage their emotions.
The Vicious Cycle of Tablet Use and Emotional Outbursts
The researchers discovered a connection, between using tablets at 3.5 years old and showing anger and frustration a year later. Interestingly these emotional outbursts at 4.5 were linked to tablet use by the time the kids turned 5.5. This discovery implies a concerning pattern where young children rely on tablets for fun struggle to handle their emotions and then turn to more screen time to relax.
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that children between the ages of 2 and 5 should only have one hour of quality screen time per day. However the study revealed that preschoolers were actually spending around 6.5 to 7 hours per week on tablets. While there are some limitations, to the research like it being conducted during the COVID 19 not considering content quality or parent child viewing together it underscores the significance of limiting screen time and engaging in activities that help kids develop regulation skills.
