Baby apps: Media exposure in infants

Background:  In 2011, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) issued a policy statement discouraging use of any entertainment media by children under age two.  This includes television and smartphones.  This is a challenge for parents of infants in a media age. The market for “infant tablets” is exploding and yet, we do not know the impact of such technologies on infant development.  It also creates questions about parent coping with infants when they may be challenged with issues of self- confidence, social support and depression.

Objective:   Review media exposure by infants.

Results: A cohort of over 1100 family trios was recruited into a longitudinal genomic study exploring correlations to pregnancy outcome and child health. The families receive a survey every six months to assess infant nutrition, growth and development, including media and screen time. Maternal confidence and depression as well as perceived support were assessed.  Preliminary analysis on media and screen time related questions reveal that over 50% of six month olds infants spend more than one hour with the television on in the home (including daycare) or playing  with computer or phone apps. Associations between media use and child temperament, maternal confidence, health care use, family stress are evaluated.

Conclusions: This study provides the foundation for future longitudinal studies to correlate screen time to attention deficit problems, obesity, and anxiety as well as family characteristics. We will have the opportunity to examine the growth of these technologies and the potential impact during the first years of life.