CNN
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Almost every parent of young children has experienced angry or frustrated outbursts from their toddler, whether it’s when they wake up, go to bed, or eat a sandwich without cutting off the top.
New research suggests there may be another reason for the frequency of verbal abuse. That’s using a tablet.
The new study, published in JAMA Pediatrics, shows that tablet use in children as young as 3 1/2 years old is associated with increased expressions of anger and frustration a year later. Furthermore, children who were more prone to anger and frustration at age 4.5 years were more likely to use tablets a year later (at age 5.5 years). Tablet use in early childhood “may contribute to a cycle” of problems in emotional regulation, the authors write.
We spoke with CNN wellness expert Dr. Liana Wen to get more background on this. Wen is an emergency physician and adjunct associate professor at George Washington University and previously served as Baltimore City’s health commissioner. Equally important, she is the mother of two young children.
CNN: Most parents experience toddler meltdowns after we take away their tablets. What did this study find?
Dr. Liana Wen: The study surveyed 315 parents of preschool children in Nova Scotia, Canada. The same parents participated in the study when their children were 3 1/2 years old (2020), 4 1/2 years old (2021), and 5 1/2 years old (2022). They self-reported children’s tablet use and assessed children’s anger expressions using a standard questionnaire called the Child Behavior Questionnaire.
Researchers found a link between tablet use at age 3 and a half and increased anger and frustration at age 4 and a half. They found that the association between tablet use and anger was bidirectional, as children whose parents indicated higher levels of anger and frustration at age 4.5 years also had higher rates of tablet use at age 5.5 years. pointed out. In other words, the impact can go both ways.
It is important to consider that this study was conducted at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The researchers focused on this background and the fact that the pandemic has brought high stress and disruption to daily life. Still, the bidirectional link between tablet use and expressions of anger and frustration should be a warning to parents to be mindful of their screen time.
CNN: Were you surprised by the results of this study?
Wen: Not at all. There are other studies with similar results.
A paper published just this year sheds some light on why tablet use is linked to angry outbursts. Researchers found that children between the ages of 2 and 5 whose parents frequently used technology to manage negative emotions were less able to manage anger and frustration a year later. I discovered that it is highly sexual. These children were also less able to decide on intentional responses than automatic ones.
One reason is that children need to learn how to deal with their own negative emotions. They need to go through this process as part of their early childhood development, with the assistance of their parents, caregivers, and teachers. If instead they are given a tablet, computer, or smartphone to soothe their emotions, they will not learn to manage these emotions themselves. This can lead to problems later in childhood and adulthood, such as anger management.
CNN: Does this study mean parents should avoid giving their kids tablets at all?
Wen: Not necessarily. There are several apps available to help with learning, and many schools use tablets in their educational curriculum. I think the new JAMA Pediatrics study and other studies show that tablets, smartphones, and other electronic devices shouldn’t be used as pacifiers. You shouldn’t give them to your child when they’re crying or upset to try to calm them down.
Additionally, they should not be used as babysitters to replace adults working with children. Children learn through active social engagement with others, but whether it’s playing with apps or watching movies and TV shows, the big problem with screens is that they can’t interact with other children or adults face-to-face. interactions are replaced by screens.
CNN: You have two young children. What is the policy regarding the use of tablets?
Wen: I try to limit screen time. My kids, who are 4 and almost 7, can watch a total of an hour of movies each weekend. Screen use during the week is limited to when one of them has worsening asthma and needs to use a nebulizer device. Watch the show for no more than 10 minutes until you finish your breathing therapy.
We have a tablet, so I let him use it on special occasions. For example, we just took a long transatlantic flight to visit my husband’s family in South Africa. Children were allowed to use tablets on the plane. Also, if you’re coming to a friend’s house and other kids are playing with their tablets, we won’t ban them from playing with their tablets either. And of course, tablets are allowed at school if needed.
Still, I understand the temptation to give your kids tablets. There was a time when my little one would have bad tantrums, but I knew that if I put on a show or let her use her tablet, she would calm down. It’s also really difficult when my husband and I need a sitter because childcare isn’t going well.
There have been a few times when I have a virtual conference and I don’t have a babysitter and I have had to buckle up and let the kids watch a movie while I attend the conference. I try to make situations like this the exception rather than the rule, as I want to minimize the potential impact of tablet use on my children.
CNN: The new study is about young children. What about older children? What does research say about children’s screen use, especially time spent on social media?
Wen: Much research has been done on this topic, culminating in US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issuing an advisory warning parents of the dangers of social media. Earlier this year, Murthy said he wanted to add warning labels to social media apps, similar to those for tobacco and alcohol.
One study found that girls who used social media for more than two hours were more likely to report depression and self-harm than girls who did not use social media. Another large-scale study across three datasets found that adolescents who used social media for more than 5 hours a day were 171% more likely to be unhappy than those who used social media for less than 1 hour a day. I did. This comes against the backdrop of the near-universal use of social media, with up to 95% of children aged 13-17 reportedly using social media. American teens report spending a shocking nearly five hours each day on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and other social media apps.
There are many problems with this level of social media usage, one of which is what is being replaced this time. Children who are glued to their phones or tablets for this long are not participating in sports or getting enough physical activity. They don’t interact with each other in real life. And I’m not getting enough sleep. All of these have a negative impact on physical and mental health.
CNN: Do you have any advice for parents about screen use?
Wen: I recommend the following four. First, if your children are young, try to slow down the use of smartphones and social media as much as possible. This works best if you can collaborate with other parents, as peer pressure is a big reason why children start.
Second, as mentioned above, parents should try to avoid relying on screens and tablets as a way to stop tantrums. For young children, tantrums are part of normal development. Parents who are concerned about the frequency or duration of tantrums should consult their pediatrician.
Third, if your kids already have smartphones and use social media apps, talk to them about how social media affects them. Some of them may recognize the addictive nature of their devices and want to reduce their own usage. Others may persuade you to cut back on screen time in favor of other activities, such as time with friends in person.
Fourth, set limits. This includes not leaving your phone in your bedroom overnight and other places where you should keep your device away, such as the classroom or cafeteria table. Parents should also abide by these limits and set a good example. It’s no surprise that research shows that parents who spend a lot of time glued to their devices are more likely to do the same for their children.
