Daily Times

Too much time spent on iPads and similar touch screen devices could result in the muscles and bones of young children not developing properly, according to research.

The study compared children aged three and four who played with toys against compatriots using electronic devices.

Physiotherapy professor Leon Straker, of Curtin University, in Perth, Western Australia, said the study tracked children over their first five years of their lives to see how use of devices affects their physical, mental and social development.

The research involved 10 children, some of whom had iPads while others played with toys.

Professor Straker said those who used iPads moved their upper limbs and whole body less in a 15 minute period than when they played with toys, but more than when they watched TV.

The results showed children playing with toys moved their upper limbs six times as much as when watching TV and three times as much as when using an iPad.

Children playing with toys also moved their whole body twice as much compared to when using an iPad and three times more than watching TV.

Professor Straker said, “We are concerned that the very enticing touch screen devices will lead to children’s muscles and bones not developing well for two reasons. One, they may spend more time sitting rather than running around and playing and miss the stimulus this provides to build strong muscles and bones and two, they may spend more time in a poor neck posture with little neck movement which may make them more vulnerable to neck pain. The good news is that these devices can be used in a variety of postures so may be less problematic than TV.”

Professor Straker recommended young children spend only short periods of time on touch tablets, about 15 minutes, and no more than an hour a day in total on all electronic screens

Official guidelines used by the Australian Department of Health recommend children under the age of two years see no screens at all, and children aged between five and 17 limit screen time to less than two hours a day.

In the UK, the Department of Health does not set a maximum number of screen hours for children.

But it encourages parents to reduce time spent by children on iPads, computer games consoles or watching television by organising family activities such as walking, cycling, going to the park or playground, or swimming together.

Other studies have highlighted the impact of children using electronic devices on their weight and attention spans, compared with traditional play.

Some experts argue that children under three should have no access to them altogether.

Professor Lynne Murray, a developmental psychology expert at the University of Reading, said, “There is a well-established literature showing the adverse effects of screen experience on the cognitive development of children under three, and the US Paediatric Association for example has recommended no screen time before this age. A lot of screen material is not well designed for a child’s cognitive processes, eg loud, fast changing stimulation – this is attention grabbing, but does not help processing.”