Infant screen time surge raises health concerns

A recent international study has highlighted a worrying increase in screen exposure among infants, raising concerns among health and child development experts about its long-term effects on early childhood growth.

The research, conducted by University College London, found that nearly three out of four babies as young as nine months are exposed to screens on a daily basis. In some cases, infants reportedly spend more than three hours a day watching mobile phones, tablets, or televisions.

Experts warn that excessive screen exposure during infancy may interfere with critical stages of brain development. Early childhood is a crucial period for language acquisition, social interaction, and cognitive skill-building, all of which can be negatively affected when screen time replaces human interaction.

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According to specialists, the issue is not only the total amount of screen time but also how devices are used. Passive viewing without parental engagement is considered particularly harmful, as it reduces opportunities for learning through conversation, play, and real-world interaction.

The study also found that children with siblings or those living in two-parent households tend to have lower levels of screen exposure, suggesting that family structure and interaction play a key role in regulating device usage.

The World Health Organisation  (WHO) recommends that children under the age of two should have no screen time at all, while children aged two to four should be limited to a maximum of one hour per day. However, global data shows that only one in four children under two currently meet these guidelines.

Health professionals have raised concerns about potential long-term effects, including delayed speech development, reduced attention span, and social interaction difficulties. Some researchers also link excessive early screen exposure to broader developmental issues sometimes referred to as “virtual autism.”

Experts are urging parents to actively engage with their children during any screen use and prioritise activities such as reading, talking, and play to support healthy development in early childhood.