More than 70% of children under the age of two use screens for up to several hours a day, according to a new study released Tuesday by the U.K.-based 1001 Critical Days Foundation. One in ten babies worldwide now regularly fall asleep with a screen, and a meaningful minority of babies were exposed to screen time up to eight hours daily.
Developmental and Behavioral Effects
Researchers analyzed thousands of studies and found a steadily expanding body of evidence suggesting that higher screen exposure in infants is associated with poorer developmental outcomes. These include a higher risk of obesity, greater likelihood of short-sightedness, sleep problems, behavioral issues, language delays, and later difficulties related to friendships.
Increased screen time during a child’s second year is linked to delays in communication and problem-solving abilities in early childhood. Exceeding recommended screen use levels is associated with poorer language development, weaker academic outcomes, and increased difficulty in peer relationships later in life. Higher access to screens—especially when having devices in bedrooms—and greater screen use among parents was linked to shorter sleep duration and later bedtimes in young children. Using screens while eating meals can lead to issues such as poorer diet quality and a lower ability to recognize satiety.
Parental Concerns and Professional Guidance Gap
Almost two-thirds of parents surveyed were concerned about their own screen use, and over half of parents saw their baby’s screen use as problematic. However, 85% of parents received no information or guidance about screen time from health professionals such as midwives, health visitors, or educators. Will Quince, former minister of state at the U.K. Department of Health and Social Care and CEO of the 1001 Critical Days Foundation, stated: “The burden of screen time cannot fall solely on parents. Tech companies must wake up to the realities of the impact of screen time on babies.”
Research from the American Psychological Association published in June 2025 similarly found that excessive screen time may result in emotional and behavioral issues in children, and those problems can lead to even more screen usage. Many children increasingly rely on artificial intelligence, and there have been reports of disturbing interactions with AI chatbots.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://ijr.com/babies-screen-time-hits-dangerous-highs-new-study-shows/