The impact of your technology use on your child’s health and development
Yep…it’s not just their direct screen time….it’s your use of technology whilst you’re in their presence that’s having an impact too….it’s coming at them from all fronts! Children are sponges in their younger years, both mirroring your behaviours and absorbing what and how you respond in situations. 70%+ of language is unspoken…so your behaviours and ‘presence’ really counts.
This systematic review and meta-analysis included data from 21 studies across nearly 15,000 children under age five years. Researchers examined associations between parental screen use during caregiving moments and a range of child outcomes.
Key takeaways
➣ Cognitive development: Slightly lower scores in attention, problem-solving, and related domains (r ≈ –0.14).
➣ Emotional & behavioural health: Higher internalising (anxiety/depression) and externalising behaviors (r ≈ +0.13 to +0.15).
➣ Social skills: Modestly lower prosocial behaviours and weaker attachment signals (r ≈ –0.08 to –0.10).
➣ Screen time patterns: Children tended to have more screen time themselves when parents modelled higher tech use (r ≈ +0.23).
All associations were statistically significant but small—pointing to a pattern rather than a cause.
Clinical implications
For paediatric providers, this research underscores the value of asking about parental tech habits during early childhood visits—not just kids’ screen time.
Small reminders about mindful device use and creating tech-free family times can be an approachable way to support cognitive, emotional, and relational health in young children.
This isn’t about adding stigma or guilt—rather, helping families notice habits that may otherwise go unaddressed.