We recently recieved an email with a link to a very interesting article on kids and screentime. We all know screen time is everywhere, so we wanted to share it with you. (link at the bottom).
🚸 What the Research Says
A deep dive by SafetyDetectives highlights the impact of screen time on children’s development.
-
Sleep disruption & mental health: Evening screen use messes with melatonin, making it harder for kids to sleep and light-blue screens can fuel anxiety and depressive symptoms.
-
Language delays & brain wiring: Kids under five who spend more than 2 hours a day on screens are significantly more likely to face speech delays and have less-developed neural connectivity.
-
Behavior & attention issues: Higher screen time correlates with delayed white matter development, reduced literacy, and impulsive behaviors.
-
Academic setbacks: Non-educational screen use sneaks up on homework time. Students who clock over 2 hours are twice as likely to miss assignments.
What’s especially alarming is how thick the evidence is: sleep issues, cognitive delays, academic decline: the consequences are stacking up.
🧭 But there's hope (and solutions)
The article doesn’t just sound the alarm—it gives actionable advice:
-
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends absolutely no screens before 18 months, and no more than an hour daily for ages 2–5.
-
For older kids, it advocates screen-free bedrooms and limiting usage an hour before bed.
-
The ultimate goal: a Family Media Plan—structured rules around content, timing, and joint engagement.
And yes, plenty of educational programs like Sesame Street can help when used right.
If you're feeling uneasy about your family’s screen habits, you need to read the full article: it breaks down the research in simple terms and gives practical next steps.
👉 Check it out here: How Screen Time Affects Childhood Development – SafetyDetectives
Thanks to Isabelle for shareing this article. We want to know what you think? How do you handle your child's screen time? Let us know in the comments.
- Isabelle
