With the rapid technological advancement, the use of electronic media has widely been
integrated into our day to day lives. Most people use televisions, computers videogames and
movies in both work and play. Therefore, unlike in the past generation, toddlers and preschoolers
today have more access to electronic devices and television (Schmidt et al., 1). Right from birth,
children develop and change rapidly. The experiences that they are introduced to at an early age
lays the foundation for their later development, and this raises the question as to whether infants
should be introduced to electronics and television at that age.
Introducing electronic devices and television to infants under the age of 18 months has
lasting negative impacts on their language development, memory and reading skills. In the first
stage of development, children are meant to learn through interacting with other people. Infants
learn through other people’s expressions, body language, and tone of voice. Therefore,
introducing infants to electronic media at an early age deprives them the opportunity to learn
from their parents and caretakers. Further, introducing infants to electronic media and TV at an
early age poses psychosocial risks. Research shows that there is a connection between screen
time and parent-child relationship (Canadian Paediatric Society). Increasing screen time
displaces face to face parent and child interactions. Lack of interaction between the child and
parent affects their social development such that a child may develop anti-social behaviors and
even become aggressive (Canadian Paediatric Society).
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In conclusion, from the discussion, it can be argued that introducing electronic media and
TV may be harmful to infants. However, while there are various negative impacts, introducing
electronic media and TV may be beneficial to infants in early brain development. For instance,
designing age-appropriate programs can help children in language development. Therefore, to
ensure children’s healthy growth and development, it is essential for parents to determine the
kind of electronics and media programs their children are exposed to.
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Works Cited
Canadian Paediatric Society. "Screen time and young children: Promoting health and
development in a digital world." 29 Nov. 2017,
www.cps.ca/en/documents/position/screen-time-and-young-children.
Schmidt, Marie Evans, et al. "The effects of electronic media on children ages zero to six: A
history of research." Menlo Park, CA: