Study: Why Giving Your Kid A Tablet Might Be Making Those Tantrums Worse

Every parent has faced it—the ear-piercing wails of a toddler mid-tantrum, quite often triggered by something as simple as taking away a tablet. These kinds of outbursts may seem very normal, a part of childhood; however, a new study reveals frequent tablet use might actually do more damage than one would think. A new study published in JAMA Pediatrics links tablet use in the first years of life to rising anger and frustration, bringing up questions about how screens are influencing our youngest generation.

In a world with digital devices now serving as pacifiers for restless children, the findings of this study become a loud call for parents to actually wake up. According to a new study, this one following 315 children at preschool ages in Canada, tablet use as early as 3.5 years of age was connected to a greater number of episodes of anger and frustration a year later. But the opposite might be even more concerning: children already prone to those feelings at 4.5 years old showed increased tablet use by the time they reached 5.5 years old—pointing toward an ugly cycle of dependency.

Why does that happen? It seems that the research points to stunted emotional regulation growth. When kids are pacified with tablets to cut short a tantrum, they miss some of the very most significant opportunities to build the skills for self-regulation of emotions. Instead of practicing their emotions with the support of a parent or other caregiver, they are taught to turn to screens to quiet their distress—a habit that may cause serious problems with anger management later in life.

The Pandemic's Role

Worth noting is that this study was conducted at a time when families everywhere were suffering the unprecedented stress and dislocation brought on by Covid-19. The schools were closed, the social life had come to an end, many parents turned to screens to keep kids interested and engaged. Research has it that increased screen time among young children has been associated with higher levels of anger and frustration.

As a wellness expert for CNN, as well as an emergency physician, Dr. Leana Wen wasn't surprised. She says kids need to go through the process of dealing with their own negative emotions. Otherwise, if they're using screens as a substitute for really important learning about how to handle their feelings, then they may struggle to do so much later in life. This can create a challenge later in childhood and even adulthood when the anger is more of an issue to control.

Should Parents Ban Tablets Altogether?

So, what does that mean for the millions of parents who rely on tablets to keep the peace? Dr. Wen doesn't think parents should take away the tablet altogether; it can be a really useful educational tool—for many children it's already part of the curriculum at school. But it's a no to using screens as the go-to tantrum tamer or sadness soother.

This is instead of parents who should engage more with their children in finding healthier ways of dealing with their emotions. It might mean more hands-on interaction in times of distress and offering comfort and guidance instead of a device. It is about finding that balance: using the tablets as a tool for learning and entertainment but not using them as an emotional crutch.

In this study, one does not fail to notice the broader question at hand: Its focus on young children raises broader questions about screen use across all age groups. From this piece of research, it quite goes without saying that excessive screen time has destructive effects on mental health—more so on social media. For older children and teenagers, these risks include an increased depression rate, anxiety rate, and self-harm rate.

US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has gone so far as to suggest that there should be warning labels on social media apps, similar to the labeling done on cigarettes and alcohol. With adolescents now clocking daily five-hour doses of TikTok and Instagram, the risk for harm is ripe. Young individuals are incessantly bombarded with images showing everyone's wonderful life and how perfect it is, which started affecting their perception of self and always leaves them with a feeling of inadequacy and general unhappiness.

Practical Advice for Parents

So, how can parents protect their children from the possible harms of screen time while still embracing the benefits of technology? Dr. Wen offers four pieces of advice most of all:
1. Delay Device Use: It is important to delay the use of smartphones and social media as long as possible in young children. This can be well-coordinated with other parents in order to reduce the pressure coming from peers.
2. Avoid Using Screens as Pacifiers: Instead of giving a tablet during a tantrum, help your child work through their emotions with your support.
3. Open Conversation: For older kids, have open conversations about how social media and screen time may be impacting well-being. Encourage them to offset screen use with other activities.
4. Set Clear Limits: Designate areas in the home where there will not be a screen— dining room or bedrooms—and observe them within the family.

As tablets and smartphones start to find a place in our lives, one should be keen on the effect this may have on the emotional development of our young ones. The latest research echoes that, however great a tool technology is, no way could it replace what is an integral part of the being of parents and caregivers by teaching the child ways of coping with their emotions.

Parents should set boundaries and encourage open dialogue so that screen use can remain a positive aspect of their child's life—one that supports learning and development without compromising emotional health. After all, it's not about cutting them out but using them wisely so that our children grow up with the skills necessary to deal with their emotions in this complex, digital world.