Are screens stunting our children's growth?

In an era dominated by digital screens, concerns about their impact on children’s developing brains are escalating. With smartphones, tablets, and televisions constantly within reach, parents face a pressing responsibility to navigate technology’s role in their lives — especially for young children. Recent insights from the North-West University’s (NWU) Centre for Health and Human Performance (CHHP) present a clarion call, highlighting the detrimental effects of rising screen time and a corresponding decline in healthy, unstructured play.

Hanlie Degenaar, manager of the CHHP's Care2Kids division and a senior speech-language therapist, weighs in on this critical issue. She warns that while screens may seem like an easy way to keep children entertained, their overuse poses real risks. “Many parents admit to using screens as a convenient babysitting tool. It keeps children quiet but often comes at a significant cost,” Degenaar explains.

As the digital landscape expands, the importance of free play — a fundamental ingredient for robust development — has been overshadowed. According to Degenaar, play is not merely a pastime; it is a human necessity, particularly vital for children at this formative stage. Degenaar says, “The average child needs much more than what they are getting.” The oversaturation of screen time is silencing creativity and essential human connections, replacing them with a more passive form of engagement.

The brain on screens

Understanding the impact of prolonged screen exposure starts with recognising the brain’s growth trajectory, especially in the first three years of life. Degenaar articulates that excessive screen time activates neural pathways that do not support crucial abilities such as emotional regulation, cognitive flexibility, and language development. “Parents often perceive repeated phrases or actions from videos as learning, but this is merely imitation, not true understanding,” she adds.

The consequences of this misinterpretation are alarming. For every hour that a child spends in front of screens, the opportunities to engage in activities that foster holistic brain development are lost. Degenaar stresses that children require interactive conversations, physical movement, problem-solving challenges, and social interactions to build the foundational skills necessary for future academic success and emotional resilience. Excessive screen time disrupts these opportunities, leading to weaker white-matter development linked to language, attention, and social skills.

Play: Nature's antidote

In stark contrast to screen time, unstructured play nurtures the very skills that are diminished through digital consumption. Degenaar explains that free, exploratory play activates the neural systems that screens suppress — fostering executive function, language capabilities, emotional intelligence, and creative thinking. “Children require opportunities to climb, crawl, build, experiment, and imagine,” she says. Such activities lay the groundwork for critical skills that underpin mathematics, reading, spatial awareness, and problem-solving, which are all essential for lifelong learning.

The decline in imaginative play, particularly among children who spend extensive hours facing screens, raises serious concerns. “Imaginative play in early childhood is crucial for developing the prefrontal cortex, responsible for decision-making and self-regulation,” Degenaar notes. When screens replace play, children are not only robbed of creative opportunities but are also subjected to alterations in behaviour, sleep patterns, and social interactions. “The blue-light exposure from devices disrupts sleep, leading to irritability and reduced learning, while fast-paced content conditions the brain to hunt for constant stimulation, rendering simpler real-life activities uninteresting,” she says.

Reconnecting with play

Encouragingly, Degenaar asserts that play does not necessitate expensive toys or lengthy time blocks. “Just ten minutes of playful interaction during routine moments such as mealtimes or bath times can reset a child's nervous system, boost mood, and strengthen familial bonds,” she suggests. Simple methods like being silly, dancing, or infusing play into mundane routines can revive family connections and spark joy.

Current guidelines recommend no screen time for children under the age of two, with limited and supervised use for older children. Degenaar advocates for prioritising family interaction over digital distractions, emphasising that play is not a luxury but a cornerstone of wellbeing for both children and parents.

In striking harmony, families are encouraged to reclaim playtime, intentionally disconnecting from screens to foster a thriving environment. Degenaar says, “Play is key to thriving for adults and children.”

For resources and guidance on fostering healthy development, parents are encouraged to visit Care2Kids at https://health-sciences.nwu.ac.za/chhp/care2kids.

To watch videos of Prof. Pieter Kruger’s interview with Hanlie Degenaar about the significance of play, visit https://youtu.be/DeW3lD0DzWg. For additional insights on the dangers of excessive screen time, visit https://youtu.be/wWx7SYEKZIs.