Janet Ogundepo

Using smartphones, tablets, and other electronic devices to calm the tantrums of children between one and three years old may hinder their emotional development, psychologists have warned.

They raised concerns that such children might eventually struggle with handling their emotions and social interactions, as well as suffer from language impairments.

The experts in separate interviews with PUNCH Healthwise, further cautioned that excessive digital device use in young children could trigger the early onset of underlying psychological issues.

Tantrums, according to KidsHealth, are outbursts of temper that range from crying, screaming, kicking, hitting and whining, and which is common in children between the ages of one and three.

Johns Hopkins Medicine says that tantrums are part of the developmental process of children and are usually used to express their frustrations or displeasure.

Findings from a recent study conducted by researchers from Eötvös Loránd University in Hungary, and published in the journal, Frontiers in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, revealed that more parents used phones or tablets as a pacifying tool for their children’s anger or frustration.

The researchers noted that children regularly given digital devices to calm their tantrums would not learn to regulate their emotions, leading to several emotion-regulation problems in the future.

One of the researchers, Dr Veronika Konok, said, “Tantrums cannot be cured by digital devices. Children have to learn how to manage their negative emotions for themselves. They need the help of their parents during this learning process, not the help of a digital device.”

Meanwhile, another study further reveals that children addicted to smartphones, iPads and video games were more likely to suffer psychotic episodes later in life.

The study authors further clarified that the gadgets were not the cause of the problem but the addiction could indicate a vulnerability to mental illnesses.

According to the United Nations Children’s Fund, children who spend a lot of time on smartphones and tablets have difficulty learning how to write.

UNICEF further notes that the children receive a lot of signals and stimuli while exposed to screens, warning that it could lead to an overstimulation of the sensory system and cause irritation, aggression and hysterics.

The agency also emphasised that children constantly exposed to screens forget how to rely on themselves and others for entertainment, leading to frustration.

Speaking with PUNCH Healthwise on the matter, a Developmental Child Psychologist and Behaviour Analyst at Nurture Child Development Clinic, Lagos, Mrs Mabel Okereafor, expressed concern over the trend of digital babysitting where parents and caregivers give gadgets to their children so that they can concentrate on other tasks.

She warned that this practice could lead to gadget addiction, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and even language impairments in young children.

Okereafor explained, “When we give children devices to pacify them, we are not allowing them to learn skills to regulate themselves better. This can also lead to digital addiction, as children under five lack the impulse control to limit their screen time.

“Research suggests that excessive exposure to digital devices can lead to addiction in both children and adults. Young children are particularly vulnerable as their brains are still developing impulse control, a skill that typically matures in adolescence and early adulthood.

“So when you repeatedly hand a digital device to a child, beyond the risk of addiction, it can also contribute to the development of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder symptoms.

“The fast-paced nature of digital media may overstimulate young brains, making it difficult for them to focus and regulate their attention.”

The expert further highlighted the vulnerability of children under five, whose brains, she noted, are in a crucial developmental stage and that constant exposure to digital devices during this period may alter the formation of neural pathways, potentially impacting cognitive and emotional development.

The child psychologist and behaviour analyst cautioned that while overexposure to digital devices doesn’t directly cause conditions like ADHD or autism, it can exacerbate existing vulnerabilities or mask underlying symptoms.

She added that excessive screen time may hinder language development in young children and emphasised that children’s exposure to digital devices be limited to two hours daily.

Developmental child psychologist added, “We’ve become a society of digital zombies, heads buried in devices, oblivious to our surroundings. This lack of social interaction is not a distant threat; it’s already here. Children are growing up without the basic skills of communication, and adults are increasingly isolated.”

Okereafor warns that this trend could lead to a generation that struggles with social interaction and prefers isolation.

She also said that individuals with predisposing factors to mental health issues face an increased risk of psychological problems and worsened symptoms when overexposed to digital devices.

The child behaviour expert further warned that excessive digital device use in young children could trigger the early onset of underlying psychological issues.

Additionally, she emphasised that over-absorption in these devices often leads to neglect of personal health and a sedentary lifestyle, ultimately resulting in poor physical and mental well-being.

Okereafor clarified that digital devices themselves do not cause mental health issues, however, excessive use can exacerbate underlying, undiagnosed conditions due to overstimulation.

In extreme cases, children deeply immersed in the digital world may struggle to distinguish between virtual and real life, leading to harmful behaviours, she said.

Citing instances where children, after prolonged exposure to violent video games, acted aggressively in the real world, blurring the lines between fantasy and reality, the expert said this highlights the potential risk of unchecked digital engagement, particularly in vulnerable individuals.

Okereafor urged parents and caregivers not to allow a device to replace a relationship with their children or ward.

She further advised parents to understand their children’s emotions by speaking with them and allowing them to express their feelings.

The developmental child psychologist underscored the importance of listening to children, stressing, “Children want to be listened to.”

She urged parents to always engage in conversations with their children, understand their perspectives, and help them navigate their emotions.

According to her, tantrums often arise from a child’s inability to express their feelings adequately.

“As parents, it’s our responsibility to guide and teach children how to better express themselves, understand their emotions, and manage internal conflicts,” Okereafor added.

She also emphasised the importance of active listening and validating children’s feelings and cautioned against dismissing them.

The child behaviour analyst explained that emotional regulation begins with a child feeling secure in knowing that they have caring adults who will listen and respond to their needs.

Offering more advice to parents, Okereafor recommended the creation of a safe and structured environment with consistent routines to minimise confusion and emotional outbursts in children.

She emphasised the importance of establishing clear rules and expectations regarding behaviour and conflict resolution.

The child psychologist said, “We must teach our children to accept ‘no’ and to wait patiently. These are essential skills for emotional regulation that children need to learn.”

She noted that consistent routines, preparation for transitions and open communication are key preventive strategies for managing challenging behaviours.

“Parents need to be present and available for their children, reinforcing expectations and offering support. By implementing these strategies, we can create a more stable environment for children and reduce the reliance on digital devices as a coping mechanism,” she added.

Also, a Clinical Psychologist at Intersect Consortium, Alex Agara, affirmed that using gadgets to calm children’s tantrums can affect their development.

He warned that such children could end up lazy and unable to initiate self-decisions.

The clinical psychologist listed sleep and eating disorders, weight gain and heart diseases, as other health impacts of constant gadget use in children.

Agara decried the rise in gadgets, internet and social media addiction, warning that more people would be negatively affected.

He clarified that although substance use disorder could lead to psychosis, gadget use may not have a direct impact on the development of psychosis.

The clinical psychologist advised, “Parents should use other means of calming children’s tantrums other than electronic gadgets and devices.”