Infants in their first year of life should have no screen time, and those ages 2 to 4 should spend an hour or less with screens, according to new guidelines issued by the World Health Organization and reported by The Washington Post.
WHO based these requirements on emerging but limited research that points to reducing screen time to promote developmental growth. For example, The Washington Post cites a study from JAMA Pediatrics that found increased screen time could delay language skills.
More research is needed to determine the value and effects of various types of screen time, such as passively watching videos versus playing interactive games versus video chatting. Most children who grew up with screens everywhere are still too young to measure the effects, according to the report.
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