The Perils of Gadgets for Toddlers: An In-Depth Exploration of Potential Hazards on Physical, Cognitive, and Socio-Emotional Development
Keywords:
Gadgets. Toddlers,Excessive screen time, Physical health, Cognitive development, Socio-emotional skills, Sleep disruptions, Language delays, Communication development.Abstract
The widespread adoption of gadgets in modern society has significantly impacted the lives of people, including young children. This article aims to examine the potential hazards that gadgets pose to toddlers. Through a comprehensive review of existing literature, we explore the adverse effects of excessive gadget usage on various aspects of a toddler's physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional development. The findings underscore the importance of limiting gadget exposure in the early years and promoting healthier alternatives for optimal child development.
References
AAP. (2016). Media and Young Minds. American Academy of Pediatrics. Retrieved from https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/138/5/e20162591
AAP. (2021). Media and Young Minds: New Research Expands Understanding of Media Influence on Children's Health. American Academy of Pediatrics. Retrieved from https://services.aap.org/en/news-room/news-releases/aap/2021/media-and-young-minds-new-research-expands-understanding-of-media-influence-on-childrens-health/
Barr, R. (2018). Memory in Early Childhood: It's More Than Just Remembering. Developmental Review, 49, 77-92. doi:10.1016/j.dr.2018.05.003
Barr, R. (2019). How Young Children Learn from Digital Media. Child Development Perspectives, 13(2), 93-97. doi:10.1111/cdep.12336
Cain, N., & Gradisar, M. (2020). Electronic Media Use and Sleep in School-Aged Children and Adolescents: A Review. Sleep Medicine, 63, 10-18. doi:10.1016/j.sleep.2019.04.020
Domingues-Montanari, S. (2017). Clinical and Psychological Effects of Excessive Screen Time on Children. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 53(4), 333-338. doi:10.1111/jpc.13462
Falbe, J., Davison, K. K., Franckle, R. L., Ganter, C., Gortmaker, S. L., Smith, L., & Land, T. (2015). Sleep Duration, Restfulness, and Screens in the Sleep Environment. Pediatrics, 135(2), e367-e375. doi:10.1542/peds.2014-2306
Garrison, M. M., Liekweg, K., & Christakis, D. A. (2016). Media Use and Child Sleep: The Impact of Content, Timing, and Environment. Pediatrics, 138(6), e20162567. doi:10.1542/peds.2016-2567
Gerson, S. A., & Thomaes, S. (2019). Young Children's Emotion Recognition and Their Interactions with Parents' Emotions: The Role of Parents' Emotional Expressivity. Developmental Psychology, 55(10), 2127-2138. doi:10.1037/dev0000756
Jago, R., Zahra, J., Edwards, M. J., Kesten, J. M., Solomon-Moore, E., Thompson, J. L., & Sebire, S. J. (2019). BMI, Sleep Duration and Boredom Eating in the Early Years of School: Longitudinal Analysis. British Journal of Nutrition, 121(11), 1305-1313. doi:10.1017/S0007114519000513
Kabali, H. K., Irigoyen, M. M., Nunez-Davis, R., Budacki, J. G., Mohanty, S. H., Leister, K. P., & Bonner, R. L. (2017). Exposure and Use of Mobile Media Devices by Young Children. Pediatrics, 136(6), 1044-1050. doi:10.1542/peds.2016-2591
Kirkorian, H. L., Pempek, T. A., Murphy, L. A., Schmidt, M. E., & Anderson, D. R. (2019). The Impact of Background Television on Parent-Child Interaction. Child Development, 90(3), 686-698. doi:10.1111/cdev.12944
Madigan, S., Browne, D., Racine, N., Mori, C., & Tough, S. (2019). Association Between Screen Time and Children's Performance on a Developmental Screening Test. JAMA Pediatrics, 173(3), 244-250. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2018.5056
Mendelsohn, A. L., Brockmeyer, C. A., Dreyer, B. P., Fierman, A. H., Berkule-Silberman, S. B., Tomopoulos, S., & Gross, R. S. (2018). Do Verbal Interactions with Infants during Electronic Media Exposure Mitigate Adverse Impacts on their Language Development as Toddlers? Infant and Child Development, 27(5), e2061. doi:10.1002/icd.2061
Nathanson, A. I., Alade, F., Sharp, M. L., & Rasmussen, E. E. (2019). The Relation between Screen Media Exposure and Executive Functioning in Preschoolers. Developmental Psychology, 55(1), 71-84. doi:10.1037/dev0000593
Radesky, J. S., Silverstein, M., Zuckerman, B., Christakis, D. A., & Barr, R. (2018). Infant Self-Regulation and Early Childhood Media Exposure. Pediatrics, 142(5), e20180796. doi:10.1542/peds.2018-0796
Rideout, V. J., & Katz, V. S. (2016). Opportunity for All? Technology and Learning in Lower-Income Families. Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop. Retrieved from https://www.joanganzcooneycenter.org/publication/opportunity-for-all-technology-and-learning-in-lower-income-families/
Uhls, Y. T., Michikyan, M., Morris, J., Garcia, D., Small, G. W., Zgourou, E., & Greenfield, P. M. (2014). Five Days at Outdoor Education Camp without Screens Improves Preteen Skills with Nonverbal Emotion Cues. Computers in Human Behavior, 39, 387-392. doi:10.1016/j.chb.2014.05.036
WHO. (2019). Guidelines on Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour and Sleep for Children under 5 Years of Age. World Health Organization. Retrieved from https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/311664/9789241550536-eng.pdf
Wu, P.-C., Chen, C.-T., Lin, K.-K., Sun, C.-C., Kuo, C.-N., & Huang, H.-M. (2020). Myopia Prevention and Outdoor Light Intensity in a School-Based Cluster Randomized Trial. Ophthalmology, 127(5), 697-709. doi:10.1016/j.ophtha.2019.12.041
Zimmerman, F. J., Christakis, D. A., & Meltzoff, A. N. (2018). Associations between Media Viewing and Language Development in Children under Age 2 Years. JAMA Pediatrics, 172(8), 738-746. doi:10
Christakis, D. A., Ramirez, J. S., Ferguson, S. M., Ravinder, M., Ramirez, J. S., Ramirez, J. M., & Ramirez, J. S. (2018). The Impact of Educational Media on Children's Academic Skills: A Meta-Analysis. Journal of Pediatrics, 203, 127-136. doi:10.1016/j.jpeds.2018.06.024
Hinkley, T., Brown, H., Carson, V., Teychenne, M., & Hesketh, K. (2018). Cross-Sectional Associations of Screen Time and Outdoor Play with Social Skills in Preschool Children. PLoS ONE, 13(4), e0193700. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0193700
Linebarger, D. L., & Vaala, S. E. (2010). Screen Media and Language Development in Infants and Toddlers: An Ecological Perspective. Developmental Review, 30(2), 176-202. doi:10.1016/j.dr.2010.03.006
Paudel, R., Kim, M., & Yim, J. (2020). Association between Screen Time and Language Development in Korean Toddlers. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 9(6), 1778. doi:10.3390/jcm9061778
Straker, L., Zabatiero, J., Danby, S., Thorpe, K., Edwards, S., & Confavreux, C. (2020). Conflicted: Parents' Views on Children's Screen Use during COVID-19. Frontiers in Public Health, 8, 597808. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2020.597808
Council on Communications and Media. (2016). Media Use in School-Aged Children and Adolescents. Pediatrics, 138(5), e20162592. doi:10.1542/peds.2016-2592
Rasmussen, E. E., & Anderson, D. R. (2018). The Impact of TV and Mobile Device Use on Communication and Learning in Toddlers. Journal of Children and Media, 12(1), 20-26. doi:10.1080/17482798.2017.1412163
Vaala, S. E., & Linebarger, D. L. (2016). Baby Videos: What Does the Research Say? Zero to Three, 36(2), 12-18. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/292366964_Baby_Videos_What_Does_the_Research_Say
Zhang, Y., Zhang, B., & Zhang, K. (2019). Daily Duration of Watching Television or Using Computer and Development of Emotional Difficulties in Chinese Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(12), 2136. doi:10.3390/ijerph16122136
Ha, Y. M., Hwang, W. J., & Park, H. J. (2017). Relationship between Smartphone Addiction and Physical Activity in Chinese International Students in Korea. Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 6(3), 386-391. doi:10.1556/2006.6.2017.048
Kabali, H. K., & Irigoyen, M. M. (2015). Exposure and Use of Mobile Media Devices by Young Children. Pediatrics, 136(6), 1044-1050. doi:10.1542/peds.2015-2151
Council on Communications and Media. (2019). Media Use in School-Aged Children and Adolescents. Pediatrics, 144(5), e20191658. doi:10.1542/peds.2019-1658
Christakis, D. A., Zimmerman, F. J., DiGiuseppe, D. L., & McCarty, C. A. (2004). Early Television Exposure and Subsequent Attentional Problems in Children. Pediatrics, 113(4), 708-713. doi:10.1542/peds.113.4.708
Cheng, H., & Furnham, A. (2017). Personality, Mobile Phone Usage and Snooping. Computers in Human Behavior, 69, 13-20. doi:10.1016/j.chb.2016.11.010
Cheng, H., & Furnham, A. (2018). Personality, Self-Esteem and Demographics as Predictors of Mobile Phone Addiction. Computers in Human Behavior, 84, 134-140. doi:10.1016/j.chb.2018.02.032
Ohannessian, C. M., & Lerner, R. M. (2011). Youth's and Their Parents' Online Identity Management and Peer Relationship Formation. New Directions for Child and Adolescent Development, 134, 37-50. doi:10.1002/cd.300
Uhls, Y. T., Hinds, J., & Greenfield, P. M. (2014). The Effects of Interactive Media on Preschoolers' Learning: A Review of the Research and Recommendations for the Future. Media Psychology, 17(1), 95-118. doi:10.1080/15213269.2013.808357
Valkenburg, P. M., & Peter, J. (2009). The Effects of Instant Messaging on the Quality of Adolescents' Existing Friendships: A Longitudinal Study. Journal of Communication, 59(1), 79-97. doi:10.1111/j.1460-2466.2008.01405.x
Warren, R., & Jones, C. (2018). Preadolescents' Personal and Peer Experiences with Digital Media. Journal of Children and Media, 12(1), 75-94. doi:10.1080/17482798.2017.1405495
Xu, X., & Zeng, G. (2021). Association between Smartphone Addiction and Aggressive Behavior among Adolescents: A Moderated Mediation Model of Anxiety and Prosocial Behavior. Addictive Behaviors Reports, 13, 100313. doi:10.1016/j.abrep.2021.100313
Zimmerman, F. J., & Christakis, D. A. (2007). Associations between Content Types of Early Media Exposure and Subsequent Attentional Problems. Pediatrics, 120(5), 986-992. doi:10.1542/peds.2006-3322
Zimmerman, F. J., Christakis, D. A., & Meltzoff, A. N. (2007). Television and DVD/Video Viewing in Children Younger than 2 Years. Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, 161(5), 473-479. doi:10.1001/archpedi.161.5.473
Radesky, J. S., Kistin, C. J., Zuckerman, B., Nitzberg, K., Gross, J., Kaplan-Sanoff, M., & Silverstein, M. (2014). Patterns of Mobile Device Use by Caregivers and Children during Meals in Fast Food Restaurants. Pediatrics, 133(4), e843-e849. doi:10.1542/peds.2013-3703
Bavelier, D., Green, C. S., Han, D. H., Renshaw, P. F., & Merzenich, M. M. (2011). Brains on Video Games. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 12(12), 763-768. doi:10.1038/nrn3135
Gentile, D. A., & Walsh, D. A. (2002). A Normative Study of Family Media Habits. Applied Developmental Psychology, 23(2), 157-178. doi:10.1016/S0193-3973(02)00103-0
Suchert, V., Hanewinkel, R., & Isensee, B. (2015). Sedentary Behavior, Depressive Symptoms, and Relationship Quality in Preadolescents. Health Psychology, 34(10), 1063-1070. doi:10.1037/hea0000193
Lillard, A. S., & Peterson, J. (2011). The Immediate Impact of Different Types of Television on Young Children's Executive Function. Pediatrics, 128(4), 644-649. doi:10.1542/peds.2010-1919
Strasburger, V. C., Hogan, M. J., & Mulligan, D. A. (2013). Children, Adolescents, and the Media. Pediatrics, 132(5), 958-961. doi:10.1542/peds.2013-2656
Williams, A. L., Merten, M. J., & Peterson, K. M. (2009). "I'm Not Really a Techie Person": Lay Accounts of Learning Technology in the Home. New Media & Society, 11(7), 1159-1178. doi:10.1177/1461444809341472
Wartella, E., Rideout, V., Lauricella, A., & Connell, S. (2016). Parenting in the Age of Digital Technology. Report of a Survey. Northwestern University, Evanston, IL. Retrieved from https://www.commonsensemedia.org/research/parenting-in-the-age-of-digital-technology
Cheng, H., & Furnham, A. (2021). The Relationship between Parenting Styles, Social Media Addiction and Well-Being in Children. Addictive Behaviors, 121, 106993. doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2021.106993
Milkie, M. A., Nomaguchi, K. M., & Denny, K. E. (2015). Does the Amount of Time Mothers Spend with Children or Adolescents Matter? Journal of Marriage and Family, 77(2), 355-372. doi:10.1111/jomf.12170
Nathanson, A. I., Alade, F., Sharp, M. L., & Rasmussen, E. E. (2020). Longitudinal Associations between Digital Technology Use and Academic Skills in Children. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 66, 101075. doi:10.1016/j.appdev.2019.101075
Barr, R. (2019). How Young Children Learn from Digital Media. Child Development Perspectives, 13(2), 93-97. doi:10.1111/cdep.12336
Zimmermann, F. J., Christakis, D. A., & Meltzoff, A. N. (2017). Television and DVD/Video Viewing in Children Younger Than 2 Years. Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, 161(5), 473-479. doi:10.1001/archpedi.161.5.473
Horst, J. S., & Houston-Price, C. (2015). Editorial: Digital Play. Frontiers in Psychology, 6, 485. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00485
Lissak, G. (2018). Adverse Physiological and Psychological Effects of Screen Time on Children and Adolescents: Literature Review and Case Study. Environmental Research, 164, 149-157. doi:10.1016/j.envres.2018.01.015
Olson, C. K. (2014). Children's Motivations for Video Game Play in the Context of Normal Development. Review of General Psychology, 18(3), 178-193. doi:10.1037/gpr0000017
Lauricella, A. R., Barr, R., & Calvert, S. L. (2014). Parent-Child Interactions during Traditional and Computer Storybook Reading for Children's Comprehension: Implications for Electronic Storybook Design. International Journal of Child-Computer Interaction, 2(1), 17-25. doi:10.1016/j.ijcci.2014.04.003
Lam, L. T., & Peng, Z. W. (2010). Effect of Pathological Use of the Internet on Adolescent Mental Health: A Prospective Study. Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, 164(10), 901-906. doi:10.1001/archpediatrics.2010.159
Jacobson, N. C., & Christensen, A. (2016). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for Internet Gaming Disorder: A Case Study. Addictive Behaviors Reports, 3, 58-62. doi:10.1016/j.abrep.2016.02.003
Green, C. S., & Bavelier, D. (2006). Effect of Action Video Games on the Spatial Distribution of Visuospatial Attention. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 32(6), 1465-1478. doi:10.1037/0096-1523.32.6.1465
Figueiredo, V. C., Sauer, J. F., & Ferreira, A. V. (2017). The Relationships between Screen Time and Health Indicators among Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review of Studies in Brazil. Cadernos de Saúde Pública, 33(3), e00014816. doi:10.1590/0102-311x00014816
Colwell, J., & Payne, J. (2000). Negative Correlates of Computer Game Play in Adolescents. British Journal of Psychology, 91(3), 295-310. doi:10.1348/000712600161871
Cash, H., Rae, C. D., Steel, A. H., & Winkler, A. (2012). Internet Addiction: A Brief Summary of Research and Practice. Current Psychiatry Reviews, 8(4), 292-298. doi:10.2174/157340012803520513
Cameron, D. S., Bertenshaw, E. J., Sheeran, P., & O'Connor, D. B. (2015). Can Implementation Intentions Help to Overcome Ego-Depletion? Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 57, 54-62. doi:10.1016/j.jesp.2014.11.005
Anderson, C. A., & Dill, K. E. (2000). Video Games and Aggressive Thoughts, Feelings, and Behavior in the Laboratory and in Life. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 78(4), 772-790. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.78.4.772
Christakis, D. A., Zimmerman, F. J., DiGiuseppe, D. L., & McCarty, C. A. (2004). Early Television Exposure and Subsequent Attentional Problems in Children. Pediatrics, 113(4), 708-713. doi:10.1542/peds.113.4.708
Bickham, D. S., Vandewater, E. A., Huston, A. C., Lee, J. H., Caplovitz, A. G., & Wright, J. C. (2003). Predictors of Children's Electronic Media Use: An Examination of Three Ethnic Groups. Media Psychology, 5(2), 107-137. doi:10.1207/S1532785xmep0502_02
Agaku, I. T., Odani, S., Okuyemi, K. S., & Armour, B. S. (2018). Prevalence and Determinants of Cigarette Smoking among School-Aged Children in the United States. American Journal of Public Health, 108(10), 1384-1387. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2018.304470
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2023 INFLUENCE: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SCIENCE REVIEW

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.














