They warn about the consequences of leaving babies in front of screens for too long

In today's digital age, it is common for children to spend long hours in front of screens, whether watching television, playing on tablets or interacting with electronic devices. However, A recent study published by the American Pediatric Association has shed light on the negative consequences that this practice can have on the development of babies, warning parents about the risks it entails.

The study reveals that One-year-old children who are exposed to more than four hours a day of screen time show a higher risk of experiencing delays in critical areas of their development, such as communication and fine motor skills, during the ages of two to four.

According to the study findings, Not only is exposure to screens itself harmful, but also the number of hours dedicated to this activity.. Psychologists at Yale University have highlighted the importance of face-to-face interaction between parents and children as a crucial element in the development of babies. This interaction provides children with valuable information, such as facial expressions and tone of voice, which are essential for their cognitive and emotional growth.

The Spanish Association of Pediatrics (AEP) has warned that, although The misuse of technology affects physical, mental, sexual and social health, as well as the neurodevelopment and learning of minors.indiscriminately banning them from cell phones will not solve the problem.

The Digital Health working group of the AEP Health Promotion Committee has given its opinion on The appropriate age for the use of smartphones by children and adolescents and the proposal to delay the acquisition of one beyond the age of 12 and limit its use below the age of 16 that some social and educational sectors and family groups have made.

Pediatricians consider necessary a regulation that requires applications aimed at children to comply with certain obligationsfrom including recommendations according to the years of the users or usage time that does not exceed that advisable for each age group to not being able to use the data of minors to personalize advertising.

Also that measures be applied to guarantee compliance with the current regulation regarding the age limitation in the use of social networks and that systems be developed so that there is a real limitation of access by minors to adult content, since that Not all families have the capacity or educational level to protect their children to the same extent.

Parents' cell phone use has more influence

The misuse of digital technology affects physical, mental, sexual and social health, and in childhood and adolescencealso affects neurodevelopment and learning, highlights the AEP.

But “scientific studies have not shown, for the moment, that indiscriminate bans on the use of mobile devices provide a benefit to the health of children and adolescents.”

According to pediatricians, The weight of the age at which the device begins to be used is relative to other factors with greater influencesuch as the use made by the parents themselves, if there are limits to its use at home and the purpose for which it is used, the type of device and content that is displayed, the support provided by the parents or the maturity of each child.

“Thinking that only by establishing a ban will the problem of inappropriate use of mobile phones be resolved can lead to families and institutions not placing emphasis on these other factors,” they point out.

Protecting children from the potential risks of screens, they add, requires collective and consensual action between parentsschools, institutions in charge of child protection, technology companies and society in general.

And reducing the negative impact of digital media on child and adolescent health requires education and training for both the minors themselves and parents, educators and society in general, who must be supported by the most up-to-date scientific evidence.

“The key is to learn to make healthy use of digital devices at any age,” they conclude.

(With information from EFE)

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