This is how parents’ mobile use can damage children’s health and development

The meta -analysis, which combined data from 21 studies across 10 countries and included nearly 15,000 participants, revealed consistent relationships between PTU and negative outcomes in children under five.

These include:

• Weaker cognitive development

• Increased behavioral and emotional problems

• Weaker attachment to the parents

• Increased screen time in the child itself

Although the effects were categorized as small, the consequences are potentially far -reaching, the US media Newsweek writes.

« The negative connection between PTU and children’s cognition may be due to a decrease in the quality of the interaction between parent and child as well as a lack of mutual response, » the researchers wrote.

They explain that distracted or unpredictable interactions – for example, when a parent is engulfed by his phone – can lead to lost opportunities for learning, attachment and emotional regulation.

Children whose parents often use digital devices in their presence were less likely to exhibit prosocial behavior and more likely to develop:

« Parents are children’s first and most important teachers, and children’s frustration can arise as a result of unpredictable reactions – whether due to PTU or not, » the researchers explained.

In addition, the study showed that these children also tended to spend more time in front of screens, which is a habit that could end up having long -term consequences for:

• The physical health

• Awareness

• Sleep quality

Interestingly, the type of technology farming was whether it was merely short interruptions or prolonged distraction, no bearing on the outcome. Both forms had the same negative effect on children’s well -being.

« This context may also be influenced by parents who are not aware of their own screen time and therefore not paying attention to their children, » the researchers said.

The researchers emphasized that PTU not only interrupts conversations, but can actually end up interrupting the child’s development. Therefore, it is of course important that you as a parent make sure you keep your use of devices at a minimal level when you are near your child or your children.

« We emphasize that these results do not mean that technological devices themselves are harmful – they can be valuable tools for parents, » they explained.

« But regulating and managing the use of units in children’s presence can help reduce potential negative consequences. »

The study does not recommend that technology be completely removed from family life. Instead, researchers encourage conscious and attentive use – especially under common routines such as meals, play and bedtime, all of which are times that are crucial to attachment and development.