GUNTUR: A recent study suggests that early tablet use in children may be linked to increased tantrums and emotional outbursts as they grow older. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, screen time for young children has surged, with even toddlers frequently using electronic devices for entertainment or distraction.
Published in the journal *JAMA Pediatrics*, the study reveals that children who used tablets at 3.5 years old were more likely to exhibit higher levels of anger and frustration a year later. Conversely, children who showed more anger and frustration at 4.5 years old were likely to use tablets more frequently by 5.5 years old. The study's authors suggest that early tablet use might contribute to a cycle of emotional regulation problems.
The research, which surveyed 315 parents of preschool-aged children at ages 3.5, 4.5, and 5.5 years, found that children who spent 75 minutes or more on screens daily at 3.5 years old were more prone to anger outbursts a year later. The study relied on parents’ self-reports of tablet use and their children's anger levels, assessed using the Children’s Behaviour Questionnaire.
The findings indicate a bidirectional relationship: children with higher levels of anger at 4.5 years old were likely to spend more time on tablets by age 5.5. This suggests that increased screen time may both result from and exacerbate emotional difficulties.
Dr. K. Raghunath, a psychiatrist, commented on the impact of excessive screen time on children's emotional development. He stressed that managing negative emotions is a critical part of child development and should be supported by parents and educators. When children are given tablets or smartphones to calm them, they might not learn to handle their emotions independently, potentially leading to issues with anger management in the future.
Dr. Raghunath advised against using smartphones and tablets as "babysitters" and emphasized the importance of direct adult interaction and face-to-face communication. He recommended that parents delay introducing mobile devices and avoid relying on screens to manage tantrums.