Putting a screen in front of a child is a tried and trusted way of keeping them entertained and quiet, but it may have its drawbacks according to a new study.
Children between 3 and 5 years old were looked at by researchers. The study involved 422 parents and the same number of children, and was done before the COVID-19 epidemic decimated schools and home life.
Increased use of devices as calming mechanisms was linked to greater emotional reactivity in the kids over the course of several months.
In young boys and children who already had signs of being impulsive, the association was strong. These gadgets can make it hard for kids to regulate their emotions.
"Use of mobile devices to settle down a young child may seem like a harmless, temporary tool to reduce stress in the household, but there may be long-term consequences if it's a regular go to soothing strategy."
There are opportunities for development of independent and alternative methods to self- regulate in early childhood.
The age group looked at in the study includes kids that are prone to tempers and fighting back against the world, which makes the option of using a phone to calm them down all the more appealing.
The researchers think that short-term relief from an upset child might lead to long-term problems with their emotional development. There can be other ways of dealing with things.
The study's authors want to emphasize that device use in moderation can be useful and can't easily be eliminated altogether, but also warn that it shouldn't be used as a primary or frequent way of trying to keep children calm.
In the past, parents have been concerned about giving their children too much time to play video games or watch tv. The modern-day media- consuming experience is more fragmented and accessible.
It is possible for caregivers to experience immediate relief from using devices if they can quickly and effectively reduce children's challenging behaviors. Both parents and children can be motivated to keep this cycle.
Children's media demands strengthen as well as the habit of using devices to manage difficult behavior. Children and their parents don't get to use other strategies when devices are used a lot.
Listening to music, squishy hands and jumping on a trampoline are just some of the sensory experiences the researchers suggest for calming kids down.
Kids can learn to identify and understand their moods with color-coded emotions. Hit a pillow instead of hitting a sibling or a friend can help.
The researchers suggest that these options can be explained to kids while they're calm. There are ways to keep control over device use.
The solutions help children understand themselves better and feel better about managing their feelings.
It takes repetition by a care giver who also needs to try to stay calm and not overreact to the child's emotions but it helps build emotion regulation skills that last a lifetime.
The research has appeared in a journal.
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