The Real Impact of Screens on Brain Development, According to Experts

You try to limit the amount of time your child spends in front of the television, but hey, a mom needs 10 minutes, too. So if you’ve ever let your child watch a little extra TV so you could pee in peace, you’re not alone. That said, you may have heard the horrors of too much screen time, but you might not understand why it’s allegedly so bad for your child, and particularly their brain.

That’s why it’s important to understand the real impact of screens on brain development, and interestingly enough, why a few extra episodes of Bluey aren't always a bad thing. We speak with two experts to discuss the real impact screen time has on your kids.

What Counts As Screen Time?

If you think screen time translates into watching too much TV, think again. “When we talk about screen time, it’s really any sustained engagement with a device that delivers digital content,” explains Kiara DeWitt, a certified pediatric neurology nurse and founder of Injectco. “It includes television, tablets, gaming systems, phones, and even laptops when used outside of academic necessity.” 

But there’s a distinction between your child watching videos online and another child using their laptop to work on a school assignment, according to Emma Louth Als, PhD, a neuroscientist and author of Focus: How to Study in an Increasingly Distracted World.

“Not all screen time is the same — passive watching, such as videos and TV shows, affects children differently from interactive use like video calls, educational games, and creative apps,” she explains. “However, in studies of screen time, this difference can be hard to capture and account for as there are so many types of screens, apps, and ways to interact with technology.” 

How Much Screen Time Should A Child Get By Age?

Even though the interactions might vary, it still stands that screen time should be limited, especially for children under 5 years old. “Children under 2 years old should ideally have close to zero recreational screen time,” says DeWitt.

“Not because screens are evil but because their brains are still mapping basic motor, sensory, and relational circuitry through movement and eye contact.” From ages 3-5, short sessions that are under one hour are okay, but only if the content is age-appropriate and educational. And for elementary-aged kids, daily tech use should total 1-2 hours, max.

But the guidelines are starting to shift slightly. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) updated its screen time guidelines to reflect how (and how often) children today are using technology, and the verdict: quality counts — a lot.

“Parents should be aware of the quality of screen time as opposed to the number of hours per week,” Louth explains. “While it would be much simpler for parents to just be able to set a time limit, it’s not as simple, since using a screen to read, do homework, or learn chess is interactive use, and is much different from just watching YouTube videos, which is more passive.”

What Happens When a Child Has Too Much Screen Time?

Even though screen time recommendations have loosened, that doesn’t mean that extra screen time may not adversely affect other areas of your child’s life. “It’s not about how much is too much screen time, but rather what screen time is replacing,” says Louth. Here’s how screen time can affect different aspects of your child’s health and wellness: 

Physiologically

When your child is scrolling on social media, they’re not strolling outside getting some fresh air and additional exercise. “Children need to run around, play, and burn energy,” explains Louth. “In the long term, extra screen time can increase their risk of obesity.” 

Blue light that comes from screens can interrupt the body’s natural circadian rhythm, affecting the quality of sleep that your child gets. As a result, your child could be crankier and even become more likely to get sick due to a weakened immune system.  

Emotionally & Socially

Sure, Phone in Face syndrome might not be an actual diagnosis, but when your child’s social interactions involve a screen, it can impact their ability to build the skills they’ll need to connect with others. “Too much solitary screen use can reduce opportunities for social interaction with both parents and peers,” explains Louth. “As a result, they don’t learn emotional cues and can have more trouble with peer interactions.”

“Dopamine circuits get hyperstimulated, while mirror neuron activity flattens out,” DeWitt says. “You get heightened reactivity, lower empathy, and stunted resilience in real-world settings.” The result: kids might experience more tantrums, school fatigue, and the inability to have meaningful face-to-face conversations. 

Academically

A child’s window of focus may be impacted by too much screen time. Watching short video clips, for example, trains your child’s brain to focus only in short segments. “Children may find they can’t focus for more than a couple of minutes, even if they’re sitting in a one-hour class,” says Louth. 

Developmental Delays

Prolonged screen time is more pronounced in younger children, who might deal with crucial developmental milestones. “Too much screen exposure, especially in younger children, can delay language acquisition, reduce working memory flexibility, and weaken social referencing or the ability to read emotional cues from others,” adds Louth. 

What Can Screen Time Do to A Child’s Brain?

Excessive screen time can rewire your child’s brain. Louth explains how it works:  

“Myelination (a brain development process where a myelin sheath forms around the axons of neurons) occurs during childhood and is integral to social-emotional skills in young children. Interacting with people activates multiple brain networks, and in order to integrate all the information you get from speaking to someone, these brain areas need to work together, and myelination allows for that.” 

How could this affect your child? “Studies link higher screen use in preschool years to less robust white matter integrity since white matter underpins learning speed and social-emotional skills,” Louth continues. But the good news is that even if your child has logged in lots of hours watching Bluey, any potential impact isn’t permanent.

“The developing brain is highly plastic, so many of these effects can be recalibrated with changes in routine and environment,” DeWitt adds. “Just as a child adapts to bilingual language environments or different caregiving styles, the brain can adapt when stimulation shifts from passive to interactive.” That doesn’t mean that there’s an indefinite window for change, though. DeWitt points out that if patterns persist, they can reinforce attention difficulties and emotional reactivity.

Are There Any Benefits to Screen Time?

So let’s get this straight: even though screen time can have a lot of negatives, it isn’t necessarily a bad thing. “Now here is the part most people do not say out loud: there are some upsides,” says DeWitt. “Strategic screen use can strengthen pattern recognition, hand-eye coordination, and even early literacy when used with moderation and support.”

For example, digital storytelling apps, or educational animated programming, can even enhance verbal development and foster a curiosity about the world. “So yes, screen time is not inherently harmful; it is the overexposure combined with passive engagement that leads to trouble.”

And then there’s the connection that can occur when screens are used in a healthy way to improve interpersonal bonds. Video chat apps allow your toddler to gab with Grandma who lives 500 miles away and foster a connection that wouldn’t otherwise be possible. Stronger family ties are also a bonus; after all, watching a show together, laughing at a funny YouTube video, or even reading bedtime stories on a tablet becomes a positive family experience. 

“Screen time itself isn’t inherently bad; it’s about when, how, and with whom it’s used, adds Louth. “Live human interaction remains irreplaceable for brain development, especially in the early years, but thoughtful, balanced screen use can coexist with healthy child development.” And that’s truly a no-brainer. 

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