TV Exposure May Harm Toddlers’ Cognitive Development
Infants and toddlers exposed to television or videos may display unusual sensory behaviors, including disengagement from activities, a preference for more intense stimulation, and sensitivity to stimuli like loud sounds or bright lights, as indicated by research from Drexel’s College of Medicine published in JAMA Pediatrics. The study reveals that children with increased TV exposure by age two are more prone to developing atypical sensory processing behaviors such as “sensation seeking,” “sensation avoiding,” and “low registration,” suggesting reduced sensitivity or delayed responses to stimuli by 33 months old.
TV exposure may harm toddlers’ cognitive development: Sensory information
Sensory processing skills reflect the body’s ability to respond efficiently and appropriately to information and stimuli received by its sensory systems, such as what the toddler hears, sees, touches, and tastes.
The research team analyzed data from the National Children’s Study, covering the years 2011-2014, regarding television or DVD-watching habits of babies and toddlers at 12, 18, and 24 months. The study involved 1,471 children (50% male) from across the nation. Parents/caregivers assessed sensory processing outcomes at 33 months using the Infant/Toddler Sensory Profile (ITSP), a questionnaire designed to offer insights into how children process stimuli related to sight, sound, smell, etc.
The ITSP subscales
The ITSP subscales assess children’s inclinations in low registration, sensation seeking (e.g., excessive touching or smelling of objects), sensory sensitivity (e.g., becoming overly distressed by lights and noise), and sensation avoiding (actively attempting to control the environment to avoid specific stimuli, like resisting teeth brushing). Categorization of children into “typical,” “high,” or “low” groups is based on the frequency of these sensory-related behaviors. Scores considered “typical” are those within one standard deviation from the ITSP norm average.
Caregivers determined screen exposure measurements at 12 months by responding to the question: “Does your child watch TV and/or DVDs?” (yes/no).” At 18 and 24 months, exposure was based on the question: “Over the past 30 days, on average, how many hours per day did your child watch TV and/or DVDs?”
The results indicate that:
- At 12 months, any exposure to screens, as opposed to no screen viewing, was linked to a 105% higher likelihood of displaying “high” sensory behaviors instead of “typical” sensory behaviors related to low registration at 33 months.
- At 18 months, for each additional hour of daily screen time, there was a 23% increased likelihood of exhibiting “high” sensory behaviors associated with later sensation avoiding and low registration.
- At 24 months, for each additional hour of daily screen time, there was a 20% increased likelihood of “high” sensation seeking, sensory sensitivity, and sensation avoiding at 33 months.
The researchers adjusted for factors such as age, premature birth, caregiver education, race/ethnicity, and the frequency of play or walks with the caregiver.
The study adds to the growing concern about health and developmental issues associated with screen time in infants and toddlers, including language delay, autism spectrum disorder, behavioral problems, sleep issues, attention problems, and delays in problem-solving skills.
The potential implications for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism
Lead author Karen Heffler, MD, an associate professor of Psychiatry at Drexel’s College of Medicine, highlighted the potential implications for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism, given the prevalence of atypical sensory processing in these populations. Early screen time exposure may contribute to the sensory brain hyperconnectivity observed in autism spectrum disorders.
Children with ASD and ADHD who exhibit atypical sensory processing engage in various problematic behaviors, including irritability, hyperactivity, difficulties with eating and sleeping, and social problems. Therefore, a reduction in screen time, along with sensory processing practices delivered by occupational therapists, may be beneficial for toddlers exhibiting these symptoms.
The American Academy of Pediatrics discourages screen time for babies under 18-24 months, with live video chat considered acceptable. For children aged 2 to 5 years, the AAP recommends limiting digital media use to no more than 1 hour per day.
Senior author David Bennett, PhD, a professor of Psychiatry at Drexel’s College of Medicine, emphasized the importance of parent training and education to minimize or avoid screen time in children under two years old.
TV exposure may harm toddlers’ cognitive development: Screen Exposure
Despite the evidence, many toddlers continue to have frequent screen exposure. Great! So, if you have any more requests or if there’s anything else I can help you with, feel free to let me know! Parents cited exhaustion and limited affordable alternatives in a July 2015 study published in the Journal of Nutrition and Behavior.
The study suggests a link between early TV/DVD exposure and later atypical sensory processing, excluding smartphones or tablets. The authors stress the need for further research into the mechanisms behind this association.
Alongside Heffler and Bennett, the authors of this paper include Binod Acharya, who conducted the research while at Drexel’s Dornsife School of Public Health’s Urban Health Collaborative, and Keshab Subedi from Christiana Care Health Systems.
Read the original article on ScienceDaily.
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