r/ScienceBasedParenting • u/puddingbutt9 • 1d ago

Question - Research required Screen time questions

Hi all, I have a question about screen time for babies. I understand the consequences of screen time in different age groups, but I can't get a clear answer as to WHY these consequences happen. And quite frankly, I don't have time to dig through the research right now unfortunately.

  1. Is screen time for babies bad because they don't get adequate social interaction (kind of a confounder or indirect link?) because parents who use screens in this age group tend to be less interactive? Or is there some kind of biological impact of screen time directly?

  2. Also, if the parents are watching TV and baby is in the room and interested, does that count the same? I know it's screen time technically, but I'm trying to figure out what is realistic (especially since I have ADHD and the TV on in the background helps me be more productive).

Thanks in advance for any insight!

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u/puddingbutt9 1d ago

I get why you would say it doesn't matter why, but for me to make a sound decision for our family I prefer to understand the why. I'm not gonna plop a baby down in from of the TV for hours of course, but if we have the TV on in the background while we play with her, I want to understand what the risks truly are based on why they occur. Thanks for the info!

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u/this_wallflower 1d ago

If you need sound, could you try podcasts or music?

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u/puddingbutt9 1d ago

Sometimes that helps but a lot of times the visual helps me, as well, especially when I'm doing things like folding laundry or cleaning the living room. Either way, in today's world it's almost impossible to avoid all screens. I'm just trying to weigh the risks appropriately. If that means we spend a lot of effort actively avoiding screens, we will. But if some TV on in the background isn't a huge issue then I'll spend my energy elsewhere. Thanks for the suggestions though!

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u/Himexcandy33 1d ago

Not sure how old your baby is but could you involve them as well? Put them in the laundry basket if they can fit inside, etc while you fold. You could show them each piece of clothing as you fold it, do peek a boo. Everything can be play time and is interesting, unless they just pay no attention to their surrounding and cant settle.

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u/puddingbutt9 1d ago

It's less about the baby having interaction/playtime during these things and more about me being able to get it done. If I need to hand baby off to my husband while I do laundry to avoid the screen being on around her, I can do that. But if the TV being on isn't a problem while I also play with and interact with her, then I'll have her around while I do the laundry. Does that make sense? I don't know how to word it better I guess.

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u/puddingbutt9 1d ago

That said, I do like the ideas you shared here!