UK and US research links screen time to health risks in young children

A comprehensive review by four UK universities found that screen use for children under two can impair bonding, reduce physical play, and hinder language development, prompting calls for stricter parental guidelines. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services also notes that excessive screen time in older children is associated with poorer sleep, lower school performance, reduced physical activity, and weaker in‑person relationships.

A separate U.S. study of the Project MEDIA cohort examined "media emotion regulation," revealing a feedback loop where children who are harder to soothe lead parents to use screens more often, which in turn influences the development of executive functions such as cognitive flexibility and inhibitory control. While most children followed expected patterns, about 6% showed distinct trajectories, highlighting variability in how screen habits affect cognitive development.