Study Links Early Childhood Screen Time to Long-Term Cognitive Effects
A recent study published in the World Journal of Pediatrics has found that screen time during early childhood, particularly at ages 1 and 6, is associated with lasting effects on learning and memory. The research tracked children from age 1 through age 8 and discovered that those with higher screen exposure, especially during infancy and near school entry, showed poorer academic performance at age 9 and weaker working memory at age 10.5. The study suggests that the timing of screen exposure is as crucial as the duration, with infancy and school entry identified as particularly sensitive periods for cognitive development. The World Health Organization and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend avoiding screens before 18 to 24 months and limiting screen time to less than one hour per day for children aged 2 to 5. 
