Is Your Screen Time Hurting Your Child?

A major Australian study has found that when parents use smartphones or tablets around their young children, especially those under five, it can negatively affect the child’s emotional and mental development. The research, published in JAMA Pediatrics and involving more than 15,000 children, shows that kids with “distracted” parents may struggle with focus, planning, and emotional control, and may face a higher risk of anxiety and depression.

What Happens When Parents Are Glued to Screens

When parents are busy with their phones while spending time with their children, kids may feel ignored or receive delayed, shallow responses. This lack of meaningful attention can lead to emotional and behavioral issues. The study found that children in such situations were more likely to:

Get frustrated easily
Be emotionally unstable
Show selfish behavior
Develop early signs of anxiety and sadness

Even when parents try to multitask, like checking emails or social media while interacting with their children, the impact can still be harmful.

How Screen Time Affects Kids’ Brain Development

Children learn critical life skills by interacting with their parents. When that interaction is interrupted by screens, their development can suffer. Key areas that may be affected include:

Attention span
Organizational skills
Ability to control emotions

These are all essential for success in school and later life. Being repeatedly “phubbed” (phone-snubbed) by a parent can quietly damage a child’s emotional foundation.

How Widespread Is the Problem?

Previous studies show that about 70% of parents use screens during meals or playtime—often multiple times a day. This is becoming a normal habit, but experts warn that such behaviors may lead to:

More tantrums and impulsive behavior
Trouble following rules
Struggles with self-control

The early years of life are critical for building trust and emotional security, and inconsistent attention from parents can interrupt this process.

What Can Parents Do?

Researchers say that more studies are needed to understand which screen habits are most harmful, whether it’s checking social media, doing work, or watching videos. However, the overall message is clear: parents need to be more mindful of their screen use around young children.

The World Health Organization already recommends:

Children under the age of 2 should not have any screen time.
Kids between 2 and 4 years old should be limited to no more than one hour of screen time each day.

It may be time to consider similar limits for adults when they’re around children.

Conclusion

In today’s digital world, staying constantly connected can come at a cost. Children learn by watching their parents, and they notice more than we think. When a parent is always looking at a screen, children may feel unimportant or emotionally distant.

Sometimes, the best way to support a child’s growth isn’t through an app or video, but by putting down the phone and giving them your full attention.

Source: Inputs from various media Sources

I’m a pharmacist with a strong background in health sciences. I hold a BSc from Delhi University and a pharmacy degree from PDM University. I write articles and daily health news while interviewing doctors to bring you the latest insights. In my free time, you’ll find me at the gym or lost in a sci-fi novel.