TVs and iPads aren’t babysitters, experts warn

CHILDREN glued to screens are at risk of developing aggression because they are exposed to “virtual violence” and have less time for their social skills to evolve, experts warn.

Claire Belford watches what her sons Louis, 4, and Reuben, 1, are watching on the screen. Picture: Tim Hunter.

CHILDREN glued to screens are at risk of developing aggression because they are exposed to “virtual violence” and have less time for theirsocial skills to evolve, experts warn.

Updated screen-time guidelines advise that parents should not use televisions and iPads as babysitting tools.

They should rather “co-watch” and explain to their children what they are seeing.

A worrying new study by the University of New South Wales found 40 per cent of 18- month-olds spent more than two hours a day in front of screens, and the rest up to two hours. According to guidelines, children at that age should have no screen time, though new guidelines from the American Academy of Paediatrics allow for unlimited video-chatting at this age.

UNSW researcher Professor Valsamma Eapen said her study found the children at higher risk of excessive screen time were those of single mothers, those who lacked play equipment, those who were not read to, and those who went on fewer than five outings a week.

The children were recruited at birth at Liverpool and Bankstown hospitals and followed up as toddlers.

Prof Eapen said parents must monitor their children’s “media diet”.

“With the rise in access to new technologies and gaming platforms, children are being increasingly exposed to what is known as ‘virtual violence’,” Prof Eapen said.

She said older children were most at risk from “virtual violence”, while excessive screen time for toddlers could harm their ability to determine real and acceptable behaviour.

“The age of the child is critical, as cartoons can seem real for toddlers. And it is important to select pro-social programs, and co-watch with the child and talk things through, so this also serves as an opportunity for engagement and interaction rather than just passive watching.”

She said screen time for educational purposes was not harmful.

Mum Claire Belford, 32, limits the screen time for son Louis, 4, to four times a week for 30 minutes at a time, while son Reuben, 1, does not watch any screens.

“My biggest concern with Louis is I want him to be social with other children and play outside and use his brain,” Ms Belford said.

“I’m really careful with him and I sit and monitor him when he’s watching … I have to be careful, because it can so quickly go from innocently looking at nerf guns on YouTube to real guns.”

Originally published as TVs and iPads aren’t babysitters, experts warn