Managing Kids and Their Devices: A Neurodevelopmental Perspective

Conversations with both parents and teachers these days are often dominated by concerns about kids and their devices. From a neurodevelopmental perspective, the answer to managing screen time is simple: put the devices away unless they are absolutely necessary.

Consider a common scenario: a preschooler arrives at school glued to their parent’s smartphone. After the parent leaves with the phone, it takes the child a good forty minutes to settle in, displaying signs of fussiness, fidgeting, and aimless behavior. At the end of the day, the parent hands the phone back with a hurried “Hurry up, we have to get going.” This scene plays out regularly, raising the question: What is this child learning?

Focusing on the child’s behavior when the phone is taken away reveals concerning effects on their brain. FocusedKids aims to provide activities that foster the development of executive function in children. According to Dr. Mark Bertin, “Executive function is like the CEO of our lives. It governs organization, planning, anticipating, focusing, and regulating behavior. Healthy development of executive function in early childhood has even been linked to life-long academic and social success.”

In the example above, the preschooler is learning to rely on the phone as a pacifier for these critical functions. While the phone may keep them quiet and seemingly focused, it actually undermines their development of vital skills such as organization, planning, and self-regulation. So, isn’t device time a good way to instill executive function? The answer is no. The illusion of focus on a screen is misleading, and the long-term impact can be detrimental.

Four Negative Impacts of Phone Addiction

Technology is a tool, neither inherently good nor bad. However, it requires mindful use, especially for young, developing brains. Poorly monitored screen time has been shown to have significant negative effects on children. Here are four key areas of concern:

1. Attention and Executive Function: While screens can captivate a child’s attention, this engagement is due to constant, active shifts in focus, not sustained attention. Over time, increased screen time is linked to a decline in both attention and executive function. Even short-term use, like playing games on the way to school, can cause immediate decreases in these critical skills.

2. Sleep Disruption: Studies show that everyone benefits from at least an hour without screens before bed. Falling asleep with the TV on might distract from restlessness but doesn’t aid in restful sleep. For children, screen time before bed can significantly disrupt sleep patterns.

3. Language and Social Engagement: Screen time can interfere with language development and social interactions. Background television in homes has been linked to shorter social interactions, and even having a phone on the table during a conversation can be disruptive. Some studies show that “educational” DVDs can actually slow language development in young children.

4. Behavioral Difficulties: Reducing inappropriate media content in preschool homes has been shown to lead to better school behavior. Additionally, exposure to violent video games has been linked to decreased activity in brain regions that respond to violence, influencing behavior over time.

Taking Charge of Screen Time

The solution is not complex, but it requires adults to take charge. This means controlling not only our own media consumption but also setting limits for the children in our lives. While it’s not easy—especially since we’re dealing with addictive behavior—it’s crucial for promoting healthy brain development and instilling self-regulation skills. If this message resonates, consider Dr. Bertin’s six tips for mindful screen management. 

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