CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Many families will be gathering for the holidays, but will your kids be spending most of their downtime on their devices?
Screen time for kids can be a controversial topic.
Have you heard of the term "iPad kid?" There are several posts going around X, formerly Twitter, if you search for that term. The posts talk about how kids are on their devices all the time.
So, can too much screen time lead to development delays?
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With kids screaming, sometimes it's easier to just hand them a device.
"I have this conversation several times a day," Zuzo said. "We certainly understand that technology is here to stay and it's very important to discuss it with your child’s pediatrician at each visit."
Zuzo knows there is no way to really escape the screen, but says for children 5 and under, it's important to think about how much time they are spending looking at it.
"Early exposure to screen time can affect development in children especially if they are using it at 1 year old," Zuzo said. "It really depends on what can of screen time it is and how much they are using it."
A study of more than 7,000 children found too much screen time for a child at age 1 could lead to developmental delays, specifically when it comes to communication and problem-solving at the ages of 2 and 4.
“If I am looking at a screen, there’s not a lot that’s being asked of me, right? Versus navigating my environment, playing with my toys, being outside," Trace said.
So where’s that sweet spot?
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, there should be no screen time before a child is 18 months old, and no more than an hour a day for kids between 2and 5 years old.
Zuzo said it also depends on a couple of things: What children are watching and whether it’s interactive. If it sparks children’s creativity, that’s better than just staring at a screen.
Contact Meghan Bragg at mbragg@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram
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