Babies and technology
With technology playing an increasingly prominent role in our day-to-day lives, Trustee Heather Munn discusses how often and for how long babies should be exposed to the virtual world.
Only a few years ago, the thought of giving an infant a computer to play with would have raised more than a few eyebrows, but the rise of small and relatively cheap handheld devices has seen computers go from large, fixed cumbersome boxes on a desk to omnipresent attention grabbers for adults and children alike.
Is this change a force for good?
The jury is still out on how ICT is impacting on young babies’ brains, but what we know about how brains are built must give us pause for thought, in how often and for how long babies are exposed to the virtual world. The Center for the Developing Child at Harvard University is at the cutting edge of exploring the developing brain, showing that brains are built from the bottom up and that it is interaction with care givers and using all five senses that builds a strong foundation in a baby’s brain leading to effective learning.
This would explain what most researchers in the field emphasize, it is the passive extended use of devices that is a real cause for concern. Known impacts include:
How much screen time is too much screen time?
You may have noticed or heard about the recent advice from The World Health Organization (WHO) suggesting that children under the age of two are not exposed to screens such as smart phones and tablet at all. From the age of two, WHO suggest that such exposure is limited to half an hour a day. For many parents and practitioners this will present a challenge.
The advice from WHO is as follows:
Babies
Physical activity several times a day including at least 30 minutes of 'tummy time' (lying on their front).
No sedentary screen time.
14-17 hours of sleep a day, including naps, for newborns. Reducing to 12-16 hours by four to 11 months.
Should not be restrained (i.e. strapped into a recliner, seat or sling) for more than an hour at a time.
One and two-year-olds
At least three hours of physical activity a day.
No sedentary screen time for one-year-olds and less than an hour for two-year-olds.
11-14 hours of sleep a day, including naps.
Should not be restrained for more than an hour at a time or sit for extended periods of time.
Three and four-year-olds:
At least three hours of physical activity a day, including at least one hour of activity that is of moderate or vigorous intensity.
Up to an hour of sedentary screen time - less is better.
10-13 hours of sleep a day, which may include a nap.
Should not be restrained for more than an hour at a time or sit for extended periods of time.
Other voices
The UK’s own Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) takes a less draconian view stating that they do not believe there is sufficient evidence yet that time in front of a screen is definitely 'toxic' to health. However, they did publish the following list of questions that families can ask themselves to assess whether screen use is affecting their children negatively:
Is your family's screen time under control?
Does screen use interfere with what your family want to do?
Does screen use interfere with sleep?
Are you able to control snacking during screen time?
Adults set the screen culture
There is evidence that screen use by adults during care giving activities leads to less sensitive and interactive care giving and it is clear that babies and children look to us to set the culture and extent of screen use. Be a role model for your child. spend time with your children without any devices and communicate with them. By giving them your undivided attention, you will help them establish empathy and develop self-regulatory mechanisms while creating long lasting memories. Finally, avoid having meals in front of the TV and try to minimise the use of mobile devices in front of your child.
Setting limits
In terms of how much time a child should spend online, it can be anything from a few seconds or minutes for babies to 15-30 minutes for toddlers. Always try to be on the lookout for signs that they are tired, sleepy or have lost interest and move on to another activity. Take regular breaks and make sure that your child understands why there is a time limit. Try to avoid screen time before bedtime as it might interfere with their sleeping habits.