Children who spend hours in front of screens may be slower to develop white matter in their brain -- the part where language, other literacy skills, and the process of mental control and self-regulation develop -- a new study warns.
who spend loads of time looking at tablets, smartphones or TVs may be changing their brains, and not for the better.scans showed that the white matter in the brains of children who spent hours in front of screens wasn't developing as fast as it was in the brains of kids who didn't.
The first five years of life is the critical time when these brain connections are rapidly developing, Hutton explained. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that kids under 18 months shouldn't be exposed to screens at all. From 18 to 24 months, if parents choose, digital media should include only high-quality programming that the child and parent watch together.
Also, higher ScreenQ scores were tied to delayed white matter development, specifically the process that allows nerve impulses to move more quickly throughout the brain. It's possible that the delayed brain development caused by screens can be made up later, but it's harder for the brain to change the older you get, Hutton added.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
MRIs show screen time linked to lower brain development in preschoolersA new study found the brains of 3- to 5-year-old children who overused screens were not as developed in areas needed for language, writing and cognitive skills.
Read more »
Children who use screens too much have different brain structures, scientists suggest in 'provocative' studyScientists looked at the brain wiring of a group of under-fives to reach their conclusion.
Read more »
Screen Time May Actually Be Good For Kids, New Oxford Study FindsNew research out of Oxford, Cardiff and Cambridge Universities finds that screen time in moderation actually seems to have a positive effect on kids.
Read more »
Screen time and kids: New findings parents need to knowA new study from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center showed concerning evidence that brain structure may be altered in kids with more screen use.
Read more »