During the first few years of life, a child’s brain is like a construction site, rapidly building neural connections and “pruning” away those that aren’t used. Digital devices are often used as tools for entertainment or education but research suggests that too much exposure can fundamentally change this developmental process.
The Brain’s “Control Center”
Executive Function (EF) is the brain’s “boss” and is at the heart of this discussion. EF helps us with planning, paying attention, remembering what we are told, working memory, and regulating emotions. In fact, studies have found that high levels of screen time in infancy are associated with impaired executive function later in childhood, such as the GUSTO study in Singapore. Children exposed to too much screen time often display “low-frequency” brain waves, a state that correlates with a lack of cognitive alertness. This can cause problems with impulse control, maintaining attention, and completing tasks.
3D Reality vs. 2D Screens
The five senses are the best way for young children to learn. Babies find it hard to interpret the quick-changing, flat images on a screen and it can be cognitively “overwhelming” for them. A child cannot learn the physics of balance by watching a video, they have to touch the blocks and feel their weight to develop problem solving skills. This is why real world, hands-on activity is considered far superior to electronic media for cognitive growth.
Physical Changes in the Brain
The effect of screens is not just behavioural, it may be structural. A landmark study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found that children who used screens for more than seven hours a day had thinning of the brain’s cortex, the area that’s responsible for critical thinking and reasoning.
Guiding the Early Years To protect developing minds, experts recommend:
- The 18-Month Rule: Avoid all screens (except video chatting) for children under 18 months.
- High-Quality Only: For children aged 2 to 5, limit screen time to one hour of high-quality, educational programming.
- Low Stimulation: Choose “low stimulating” content (like Little Bear) over “high stimulating” content (like Cocomelon) to help maintain a healthy attention span
References
Cross, J. F. (2026, May 1). What does too much screen time do to children’s brains? NewYork-Presbyterian.
Dinnigan, L. (2024, September 30). The screen time dilemma: Effects on childhood development and practical solutions. Wellspring Center for Prevention.
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2024, June 19). Screen time and children: How to guide your child. Mayo Clinic.
National University Hospital. (2025, April 2). Understanding screen time and child development..
Ng, W. K. (2023, January 31). Screen time linked to impaired brain function, may affect learning beyond childhood: Study. The Straits Times.
Ruder, D. B. (2019). Screen time and the brain. Harvard Medical School.
TOUCH Community Services. (2025, February 7). Impact of screen time on children.