Srinagar, Aug, 31 : In a cautionary statement, the Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) has drawn attention to the potential risks associated with excessive smartphone usage among babies.
DAK President, Dr. Nisar ul Hassan, has expressed concern over the practice of handing smartphones to babies, citing possible delays in their developmental milestones.
“Extended periods spent on smartphones by babies can have adverse effects on their developmental progress,” Dr. Hassan remarked.
Dr. Hassan pointed out that many parents resort to giving phones to babies as a means of pacification or to manage household tasks. However, this practice might have unintended consequences on the child’s development.
A recent study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Pediatrics on August 21, found a correlation between increased smartphone usage at the age of one and developmental delays in speech and problem-solving skills.
The study revealed that by the age of two, infants who had spent considerable time in front of screens were three times more likely to experience delays in communication and problem-solving abilities. For those spending four or more hours on screens, the likelihood of underdeveloped communication skills increased by 4.78 times, and fine motor skills were 1.74 times more likely to be subpar. Additionally, there was a twofold likelihood of underdeveloped personal and social skills.
While the risks were limited to communication and problem-solving skills by the age of four, Dr. Hassan emphasized that infants and young children require face-to-face interaction for their social development. Interacting with people’s faces triggers cognitive processes that aid in learning how to engage with others effectively.
Dr. Hassan highlighted that screens disrupt this essential interaction and curtail opportunities for interactive problem-solving skill development.
In light of these findings, Dr. Nisar recommended that parents refrain from introducing smartphones to infants and young children. He urged parents to spend quality time engaging with their children and to adhere to the guidelines provided by reputable organizations. The World Health Organization and the American Academy of Pediatrics advise that children under the age of two should have no screen exposure at all, while screen time for children aged 2-5 years should be limited to one hour per day.
