Valley Doctor Warning Families About Screen Time Usage For Children

A Valley doctor is warning families about screen time usage for young children after a recent study showed that too much of it could affect the development of their brains.

The study was published in JAMA Pediatrics on Monday. It found that prekindergarten children that use screens more often than recommended were not as competent at language and literacy skills as those who use screens less often.

“It’s like a lot of things … if you overdo it, you’re going to get a negative response,” Dr. Javier Cárdenas, director of the Barrow Concussion and Brain Injury Center at Barrow Neurological Institute, told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Wednesday.  “That’s really where the most recent publication that came out looking at the brain’s white matter in kids who use screen time quite a bit.”

Cardenas suggests that parents be more thoughtful with how often they let their young children have screen time. Limiting this will help their brains to better develop.

He said the youngest children should have no exposure to screens unless it’s for communication purposes, like Skype or FaceTime.

For young children who are a little more developed, screen time should be limited to communication and learning activities.

It is important for children to learn and play away from a screen.

“Limit the amount of screen time and be thoughtful about how we use the technology to be more appropriate for the age group,” Cardenas said.

Click here to read the full JAMA Study.