Yes to nature-time! Why screen time is bad for your baby's development. Why is screen time bad for babies ♡ Scary facts of mobile phones, Ipads and laptops
Why is screen time bad for babies? Unfortunately, there is more than one reason. Therefore, I feel pulled to warn you of the dangers of screen time for your baby.
From one loving mama to the other.
Why? Read on and you find out:
- Babies and screen time recommendations
- Why screen time is harmful to baby brain development
- Screens limit social interaction
- The truth about radiation
- Summary
Babies and screen time recommendations
Babies and screen time, nowadays it is a normal thing to see. A baby with a phone in the prem. Although, it might be a great tool to settle your baby down. It is harmful in many ways. Maybe that’s is why the WHO recommends no screen-time for children under 2.
Why screen time is harmful to baby brain development
Screentime negatively influences your baby’s brain development. Watching screens is harmful to your little one’s brain. Which are still developing. Now you might be wondering…
Why is screen time bad for a baby’s brain development?
Babies need human interaction for brain development
Children under two learn nothing from a screen. They need human interaction for essential brain development. By watching screens your baby doesn’t use its full potential. As research shows that children under 2 learn nothing from a machine. They need human interaction to develop their brain to its full capacity.
Screen time decreases baby’ attention spam
The ability to focus and concentrate is essential in babies development. Which starts to develop early in the baby years. Herefore baby needs stimuli but also time to process it. When you read a book to your little one, baby has time to process the words and pictures. The movies and games on screens are so fast that there isn’t time to process this.
Also, screens are too entertaining. So, real life gets boring. As a result, your baby needs more and more stimulation of screens. As toys and normal outdoor playing become boring. In comparison with the fancy moving cartoons, games etc.
Screens limit social interaction
Also on the field of social skills and interaction. Screen time is harmful. Especially because of the time spends watching a device. Your baby (and child) misses important lessons. Such as learning to read faces.
Screens limits social interaction
Screens limits social interaction. Which is harmful as your baby doesn’t learn important social skills. Like reading faces and seeing the reactions of people. Which babies learn in the early days. Because the only way they communicate is non-verbal. So, babies spend a lot of time reading faces.
Risk with development of empathy
Practising non-verbal communication is essential to develop empathy. When babies spend too much time on a screen, they miss these important lessons. As a result, they don’t develop empathy. And other important social skills.
The truth about radiation
The risks of radiation is another reason to consider limiting screen time. As mobile phones, Ipads and laptops all have high doses of radiation. Which is harmful for everyone. As it can cause cancers and infertility. However, it is especially harmful for developing babies and children.
The good thing? You can easily reduce the risks by putting your device on flight mode.
Summary
I felt the urge to share these facts about the use of mobile devices from deep within. The facts listed above are there for you to research and see what feels best for you.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends no screen time for babies under two years old. For children from 2 till 4 years old the maximum recommendation is 1 hour.
Screen time limits the development of baby’s brain. As babies need social interaction to develop empathy and other important skills. Research shows that babies learn nothing from machines.
Also, the radiation that comes from mobile devices can be harmful too. Which gives another reason to limit screen-time as much a possible.
