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Scenario:
A parent tells you that their preschool-aged child loves using a smartphone, iPad, computer games, or watching tv. The parent is not sure if it is appropriate for their child and wants to learn more.
Explain at least 3 research-based findings about the effects of media use on a preschool-aged child (3 to 5 years of age).
Provide at least 2 recommendations for the parent regarding the appropriate use of media for a child in this stage.
Support with authoritative sources.
Social-Emotional Skills: Media can affect a child's ability to develop essential social and emotional skills. Spending too much time with screens may replace opportunities for face-to-face interaction, creative play, and exploration, which are crucial for learning to manage emotions, share, and empathize with others (Radesky et al., 2015). Passive consumption of media, in particular, has been linked to decreased executive function and self-regulation.
Physical Health: Heavy media use is often associated with physical health issues. It can lead to a more sedentary lifestyle, increasing the risk of childhood obesity. Furthermore, screen use, especially before bedtime, can disrupt sleep patterns due to the stimulating content and the blue light emitted from devices (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2016).
Set Time Limits and Content Standards: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends limiting screen time for children ages 2 to 5 to no more than one hour per day of high-quality programming. It's crucial for the parent to select educational content and avoid fast-paced, violent, or overstimulating media.
Co-view and Engage: The most impactful recommendation is for the parent to co-view media with their child. Instead of using a device as a "babysitter," a parent should watch with their child and actively engage in the content. This means asking questions about the show, talking about the characters, and connecting the on-screen learning to the real world. This interaction transforms a passive activity into an educational and bonding experience.
Research has identified several key effects of media use on preschool-aged children, spanning cognitive, social, and physical domains.
Cognitive and Language Development: Excessive screen time can negatively impact cognitive and language development. Studies have shown that a high amount of background TV noise, even if the child isn't actively watching, can reduce the quality and quantity of parent-child interaction and lead to shorter attention spans (Kirkorian, Wartella, & Anderson, 2008). On the other hand, high-quality, educational content can positively influence language skills and pre-literacy, but this depends heavily on the content and if a caregiver is co-viewing.