Have you ever been out in public and had your child throw a fit, causing all eyes to turn toward you? If you’re like me, you might choose the lesser of two evils and give your child a smartphone or tablet to keep them quiet. I don’t want to give in, but this usually buys me some time and provides a few peaceful moments while my toddler becomes absorbed in her favorite cartoon.

So what are the effects of screen time on young children?

A study conducted by Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center that involved 47 healthy children — 27 girls and 20 boys — between 3 and 5 years old, found that screen time was associated with structural differences in the brains of these young children. Children who have more screen time have lower structural integrity of white matter tracts in parts of the brain that support language and other emergent literacy skills. These children also had lower scores on language and literacy tests.

What is the recommended screen time for toddlers?

• Up to 24 months: for children under 18 months, avoid screen time with the exception of video chatting; from 18-24 months, introduce digital content slowly and choose only high-quality programming. Parents should watch it with the child to aid in understanding.
• 2-5 yr old: a maximum of one hour of daily screen time with high-quality programs.

What strategies can I use to control my child’s screen time?

1. Be a role model. Your kids will mimic your behavior. Set an example and control your own screen time.
2. Spend time with your kids doing non-screen activities. Engage with your children in other activities, such as playing sports, reading, or spending time with friends and family.
3. Set clear rules around and time restrictions around device use. Enforce rules for screen-free time and locations in the home such as no screen time during dinner or before bedtime.
4. Stop using screen time as a soothing mechanism. Continuing to use screen time to calm things down will not help to kick the habit. Try to use other means to calm your children down. 
5. Use family time as no screen time. Turn off all screens during family time such as dinner or weekend outings and use this time for bonding.
6. Don’t rush into introducing a device. Delay introducing your children to a device. There’s no rush.
7. Avoid solo use at an early age. Instead, watch high-quality programs with your children and explain to them the significance of what they are watching.
8. Don’t give in. Children will often test the limits and boundaries that you set for them, but it’s important to remain firm and consistent in your expectations.

While there is no one size fits all strategy, it’s important to be consistent in your approach. Building good habits takes time and effort, and it’s a process that requires patience and persistence. It’s also a good idea to periodically review and adjust your strategies as needed in order to ensure that they are effective and appropriate.