New international research is raising serious concerns about the impact of screen time on babies and toddlers, with public health experts warning that excessive exposure could affect sleep, language development, eyesight and overall wellbeing. But researchers say the responsibility for change must go beyond parents and include technology companies, government policy and better support for whānau.
Almost two-thirds of children under the age of two in Aotearoa New Zealand are exceeding recommended screen-time limits, according to research highlighted by the Public Health Communication Centre.
The warning follows a major systematic review from the United Kingdom examining the benefits and potential harms of screen use among children younger than two.
Researchers found negligible benefits from screen exposure in this age group, alongside associations with a range of potential developmental and health concerns.
These include disrupted sleep, bodyweight, vision and eye health, communication, language acquisition and problem-solving abilities.
Screens Replacing Important Developmental Experiences
University of Auckland researcher Dr Samantha Marsh says one of the major concerns is that time spent in front of screens can replace activities essential to healthy early childhood development.
These include face-to-face interactions with parents and caregivers, active play, exploration and the everyday experiences that help babies develop communication and social skills.
The research highlights the importance of the first two years of life, when children are developing foundational abilities through their interactions with people and the world around them.
While the findings identify associations between screen exposure and developmental outcomes, they do not establish that screen use directly causes every reported harm.
Nevertheless, public health researchers say the evidence is sufficiently concerning to warrant stronger preventive action.
Parents Cannot Carry the Responsibility Alone
The Public Health Communication Centre is challenging the idea that reducing screen time should simply be a matter of better parenting.
Researchers argue that families are making decisions about technology use while navigating employment, financial pressures, stress, limited childcare options and reduced access to social support.
At the same time, digital platforms and screen-based products are deliberately designed to capture and maintain users’ attention.
The researchers describe this as a commercial determinant of health, where business models built around maximising engagement can influence children’s exposure to technology.
They argue that the consequences can extend beyond individual households, potentially placing additional pressure on health, education and social support systems.
The briefing calls for a wider public health response that recognises the realities facing parents rather than placing blame on individual whānau.
Māori-Led Solutions Needed for Whānau
A significant recommendation is the development of Māori-led approaches to screen-time guidance and early childhood wellbeing.
Researchers say further investigation is needed into the structural factors influencing screen use among Māori whānau, Pacific families and households experiencing greater socioeconomic pressures.
The emphasis is on ensuring public health advice is culturally appropriate, practical and responsive to the circumstances in which families are raising tamariki.
For Māori communities, the discussion also raises broader questions about equitable access to early childhood services, whānau support and opportunities for healthy development.
The researchers are calling for Māori leadership in both the development and delivery of guidance, rather than relying solely on generalised recommendations that may not reflect different family circumstances.
Calls for Government and Industry Action
The Public Health Communication Centre is recommending a coordinated response across several areas.
Proposals include providing non-judgemental support for parents and caregivers, creating screen-free environments in early childhood education and healthcare settings, and strengthening parental leave and childcare policies.
Researchers also want greater scrutiny of marketing aimed at young children, particularly where digital products make educational claims that are not supported by reliable evidence.
The recommendations reflect growing concern about the influence of technology companies on childhood development and the need for stronger safeguards around products marketed to families.
A Bigger Conversation About Tamariki Wellbeing
The findings come as digital technology becomes an increasingly routine part of family life, with smartphones, tablets, televisions and online entertainment readily accessible in many homes.
Public health experts acknowledge that families face competing demands and that screens can become a convenient option when parents are juggling work, household responsibilities and childcare.
However, they argue that meaningful change will require more than simply telling parents to switch devices off.
Instead, the focus needs to include better family support, stronger public policy, responsible technology design and culturally informed approaches to early childhood development.
The central message from researchers is that protecting the health and development of babies and toddlers is a shared responsibility — one that extends from whānau and caregivers to technology companies, health providers and the Government.
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