In today’s increasingly connected world, digital devices and educational technology are omnipresent, but for young children, there is a strong need to consider the implications of screen time on a developing brain. Early childhood is when a very large share of the total developmental change in a child’s brain happens. According to Harvard University, if screen time replaces or impedes children’s ability to get what they need from their relationships with other people and the world around them, skill development can be seriously delayed or impaired (Center on the Developing Child, 2011).
Research overwhelmingly supports caution regarding screen use among young children, noting that Pre-K children exceeding the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines is associated with negative impacts on brain regions that support language and literacy (Hutton et al., 2020). Importantly, the research also asserts that adult use of digital devices in front of children negatively impacts the development of skills necessary for kindergarten readiness (Sigman, 2017; Pagani et al., 2010; Toledo-Vargus et al., 2025).
While the most recent position statement from the AAP (2026) provides age-based recommendations on screen time, it also emphasizes the importance of content. Some technology for preschool-age children does have research backing. However, most of what is labeled as “educational” has no evidence of benefit to children. Specifically, the AAP recommends no screens for children from birth–18 months, and for children ages 18 months–24 months, screen use should be less than 1 hour per day—but only if the content is co-viewed by an adult. For children ages 2–5, it is important to focus on what is shown on the screen and to limit screen time to one hour per day. When selecting content, the AAP recommends considering the quality of content, the context of use, and the conversation between children and caregivers. These recommendations ensure that children have the opportunity to spend time engaging with people and the world around them, fostering appropriate development.