A recent study has found that frequent use of digital devices to calm children during tantrums could hinder the development of self-regulatory skills.
In the study, 265 parents of children aged between 2 and 5 filled out questionnaires on their children’s behavior in 2020. A follow-up assessment occurred a year later.
Researchers found that when parents frequently gave their children digital devices to control their emotions, the children appeared to have poorer anger and frustration management skills a year later.
According to the study, children who were often provided with digital devices when they experienced negative emotions also showed “less effortful control” during the follow-up assessment.
“This leads to more severe emotion-regulation problems, specifically, anger management problems, later in life.”
Dr. Konok emphasized that parents should help their children learn how to cope with their negative emotions. Rather than avoiding situations that could be upsetting to their children, parents should coach them through challenging times, helping them to recognize their emotions and teaching them ways to cope.
“Based on our results, new training and counselling methods could be developed for parents. If peoples’ awareness about digital devices being inappropriate tools for curing tantrums increases, children’s mental health and well-being will profit,” said Caroline Fitzpatrick, a researcher at the Université de Sherbrooke and co-author of the study.
Dr. Fiona Bull, WHO’s program manager for surveillance and population-based prevention of noncommunicable diseases, said that children should engage in physical activity, reduce sedentary time, and get quality sleep to boost their overall well-being.
