Effects of screen time on early childhood development by Dakoa Newman MP, Okaikwei South Constituency | Parliament

Below is the speech delivered on the floor of Parliament by Dakoa Newman MP, Okaikwei South Constituency on the effects of screen time on early childhood development.

Mr. Speaker,

Thank you for the opportunity to speak on a matter that concerns all parents, including my good self. This has to do with the negative effects of screen time on early childhood development. Screen time refers to time spent with any screen including televisions, smart phones, tablets, video games and computers. Lately, screen time has become a more complex concept with an expanding variety of electronic media devices available at every home and even at early childhood education centres.

 
Researchers in South Africa in assessing the influence of screen time on language development have found that an increase in the amount of screen time at an early age has negative effects on language development.  In place of overexposure of children to screens at a very early age, we must resort to stimulation by reading to children and providing them with playthings or toys that are beneficial in their formative years. Research shows that home environment is key for children’s language development in the first 1000 days (3 years) of life, as this is a critical stage for brain development and maturation and is the most intensive period of acquiring speech and language skills.

 
I am fully aware of the challenges parents and teachers face in juggling child care and all other responsibilities. In recent times this has resulted in an increase in the use of screens to entertain or distract children to enable parents attend to other demands. Although the screen captures the attention of the children it has an impact on young brains. UNICEF, quoting the work of Prof. Patricia Kuhl of University of Washington and one of the world’s leading brain scientists, indicates that little babies, under a year old, do not learn from screens but from human interaction.  Screens hijack the attention of our babies without imbibing knowledge. We have to understand that if we allow our babies and toddlers to spend a lot of time with televisions, tablets or smartphones, all of which are highly entertaining, it would affect their creativity and imagination which are gained from interactions with non-electronic activities, such a playing with toys, exploring outdoors, and playing with other children which also helps in the development of appropriate social skills. Quality time spent with children in interactive non-screen-based activities such as reading, storytelling, puzzle activities and singing is very important for child development.

Studies show that the negative effects of too much screen time for babies and toddlers range from shorter attention span to lower empathy. Children under a year old get zero learning from screens even though they may be captivated by it. For a child’s brain to develop, it needs essential stimuli from the outside world, this it to say that overexposure to screens retards brain development. Over exposure to screen time also inhibits young children’s ability to read faces and learn social skills, two factors needed to develop empathy. Face-to-face interactions are the only way children learn to understand verbal cues and interpret them. The benefits of limiting and even eliminating screen time in these early moments will last a lifetime.

I am not against technology. On the contrary, research indicates that beginning from two (2) years, quality screen time, that is, well-designed, age-appropriate programs with specific educational goals can provide an additional route to early language and literacy for children. However, while screens may help with language learning when quality content is co-viewed and discussed with a parent or teacher, pre-schoolers learn best from live, direct and dynamic interactions with caring adults.

Mr. Speaker,

For the development of our children and its ripple effect on the nation as a whole, I will suggest that we follow the recommendations of World Health Organization:

·       Infants (less than 1 year) should be physically active several times a day in a variety of ways, particularly through interactive floor-based play. The kids should not be restrained for more than 1 hour at a time (e.g. prams/strollers, high chairs, or strapped on a caregiver’s back). Screen time is not recommended. They could be engaged with reading and storytelling.

·       Children 1-2 years of age should spend at least 180 minutes in a variety of types of physical activities at any intensity, including moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity, spread throughout the day. They should also not be restrained for more than one hour at a time (e.g., prams/strollers, highchairs, or strapped on a caregiver’s back) or sit for extended periods of time. For 1-year-olds, sedentary screen time (such as watching TV or videos, playing computer games) is not recommended. For those aged 2 years, sedentary screen time should be no more than 1 hour; less is better. When sedentary, engaging in reading and storytelling is encouraged.
 

To conclude, let us bear in mind that early childhood development forms the foundation and basis for all learning and once we get this right as a nation, we are ensured of a better tomorrow.

I thank you for your kind attention.