Are you one of those parents who hand over digital devices to your kids to escape tantrums? Beware! While it might offer a quick fix, relying too much on screens can hinder your child's development of essential emotional regulation skills.
This could set the stage for issues like poor impulse control or frequent outbursts, turning everyday frustrations into major challenges when they grow up, a study published in Frontiers in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry has said. In other words, excessive use of digital devices to distract children can prevent them from learning how to manage emotions independently.
The researchers from Hungary and Canada tracked 300 parents of children aged two to five over a year.
They found that children who were frequently pacified with digital devices struggled more with managing anger and frustration.
Parents often turned to digital distractions when their children displayed poor behavior control, but this approach only exacerbated the issue.
The study emphasised that the early years are crucial for developing self-control, where children learn to recognize emotions and respond deliberately rather than impulsively.
Veronika Konok, a researcher at Eötvös Loránd University in Hungary and the study's lead author, stated, "Tantrums cannot be cured by digital devices. Children must learn to manage their negative emotions with the help of their parents, not a digital device."
The study suggested that over-reliance on screens can cripple children's ability to handle emotions effectively later in life.
The researchers recommended that parents should guide their children through frustrating moments, helping them recognize and handle their emotions rather than avoiding the situation.
They also stressed on the importance of parents receiving support from health professionals through training and counseling to better navigate their child's emotional development.
Dr Shweta Sharma, a clinical psychologist and counselling psychologist, who is not related with the study, agreed with the observations, warning that, “over-reliance on digital devices for emotional regulation could potentially impair children's ability to recognize and manage emotions effectively later in life.
“This may manifest in difficulties with anger management, emotional control, and overall emotional well-being” said Dr Sharma, who also happens to be general secretary of Indian Association of Clinical Psychologists (IACP).
Dr. Rabya Umman, an RCI-registered clinical psychologist opined that instead of relying on gadgets, parents should be proactive and supportive, and help their children build strong emotional regulation skills, contributing to better mental health and well-being in the long run.
