Watching television as a family may even have a beneficial effect on the cognitive development of the youngest, according to a new study.
This is enough to reassure some parents who are a little overwhelmed by the screens. Very often criticized, rightly, for their harmful effects on language or cognitive functioning, screens could however play a positive role in the brain development of the youngest. Provided, of course, that they are used wisely. This is the result of a study conducted jointly by the University of Portsmouth and the University of Nanterre and published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology.
Privilege the quality of the program more than its duration
To reach this conclusion, the researchers analyzed 478 studies on the impact of screens, published over the past two decades. Their findings first revealed that early exposure of the youngest to screens, whether television, tablets or smartphones, can be detrimental to play, language development and executive functioning. However, spending time in front of a screen would be beneficial, especially for the cognitive development of the youngest and their apprehension of the world around them.
“We are used to hearing that exposure to screens is bad for a child and can seriously harm their development if not limited to less than an hour a day. Although it can be harmful, our study suggests that the focus should be on the quality or context of what a child is watching, not the quantity” explains Dr Eszter Somogyi, from the Department of Psychology at the University of Portsmouth. “Weak narration, rapid editing, and complex stimuli can make it difficult for a child to extract or generalize information. But when screen content is appropriate for a child’s age, it is likely to have a positive effect, especially when designed to encourage interaction” he explains.
Don’t leave him alone in front of the screen
The other important conclusion of this study lies in the viewing environment: the time spent in front of a screen is more beneficial for a child if a parent or an adult is present, because he can dialogue with him and ask questions.
“Watching TV with your child, expanding on and commenting on what is being watched can help improve their understanding of content, reinforcing their learning during educational programs. Co-viewing can also help develop their conversation skills and provide children an appropriate role model in front of the television” continues the author of the study.
But this learning context in front of a screen would however be based on three inseparable elements:
- Viewing age-appropriate content;
- Viewing under adult supervision;
- The absence of a second device or TV screen in the background.
The screen, a learning tool to be tamed
For Dr Bahia Guellaï, from the Department of Psychology at the University of Paris Nanterre, this study above all highlights a message and an important development to take into account:
“Television or smartphones should be used as potential tools to complement some social interactions with their young children, but not to replace them” recognizing that the risks of inappropriate screen use are a daily challenge. “This will help prevent situations in which screens are used as a new type of childcare, as has been the case during pandemic shutdowns in different countries.”
The study warns, however, that watching television should not replace other learning activities, such as socializing. It is also imperative to inform caregivers of children under 3 of the risks associated with prolonged exposure to screen viewing in the wrong context.