Screen media have become an integral part of children's lives, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, which necessitated a shift to digital learning and social interactions. The research article "Raising the Child—Do Screen Media Help or Hinder? The Quality over Quantity Hypothesis" delves into the nuanced impacts of screen media on child development. This blog aims to help practitioners improve their skills by implementing the research outcomes or encouraging further research.
Cognitive Development
Research indicates that the quality of screen content significantly impacts cognitive development in children. For instance:
- Interactive and responsive screen media are more effective for language learning in toddlers compared to passive viewing (Kirkorian et al., 2016).
- Educational programs with embedded social cues and parental interaction can enhance language acquisition (Zimmermann et al., 2016).
- Excessive screen time, especially background TV, is associated with poorer language outcomes (Madigan et al., 2020).
Practitioners should guide parents to choose high-quality, age-appropriate content and encourage co-viewing to maximize cognitive benefits.
Motor Development
The relationship between screen media use and motor development is complex:
- Excessive screen time is linked to delays in gross motor skills (Hauck & Felzer-Kim, 2019).
- However, touchscreens can improve fine motor skills in young children when used appropriately (Souto et al., 2019).
Practitioners should advise parents to balance screen time with physical activities to ensure comprehensive motor development.
Emotional and Social Development
Screen media can impact emotional and social skills:
- Using screen devices as a distraction tool can hinder self-regulation skills (Radesky et al., 2015).
- Interactive media, such as video chatting, can support social connections, especially during times of social isolation (Strouse et al., 2021).
Practitioners should emphasize the importance of interactive and socially engaging screen activities while discouraging passive consumption.
Recommendations for Practitioners
Based on the research findings, here are some actionable recommendations:
- Encourage parents to select high-quality, educational screen content.
- Promote co-viewing and parental interaction during screen time.
- Advise on balancing screen time with physical and social activities.
- Support parents in using screen media as a tool for learning and interaction, not just as a distraction.
To read the original research paper, please follow this Raising the Child—Do Screen Media Help or Hinder? The Quality over Quantity Hypothesis.
