Link Between Parent Technology Use and Early Childhood Development

Researchers from the University of California, San Francisco published a study in JAMA Pediatrics examining whether parents’ use of digital devices—like smartphones or tablets—around their young children is linked to developmental delays. The study focused on children under the age of 5 and found that frequent parental tech use during parent-child interactions was associated with slightly lower developmental scores in key areas like communication and social skills. The findings add to growing concerns about how screen use, even by adults, can affect early childhood development.

The study analyzed data from more than 14,000 parent-child pairs across the U.S. Researchers looked at how often parents used technology in the presence of their children and compared those patterns to children’s development across several domains: communication, problem-solving, social interactions, and motor skills. Children whose parents frequently used devices around them scored lower in areas such as language development and social engagement. These effects were observed even after adjusting for family income, parental education, and other factors.

The researchers suggest that when parents are frequently distracted by technology, it may reduce the amount and quality of responsive interactions—like talking, playing, or making eye contact—that are essential for healthy brain development in early childhood. This reduced engagement may limit children’s opportunities to build language, emotional, and problem-solving skills during a critical period of growth.

This study highlights the importance of supporting parents in developing healthy tech habits, especially in the early years of a child’s life. Pediatricians, behavioral health providers, and early childhood programs can play a role in educating families about the importance of face-to-face interaction. Policy efforts could also promote public awareness campaigns or parenting supports that encourage “tech-free” time during meals, play, and other shared routines to help foster healthy child development.