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Can Screen Time for Infants Harm Development? What New Research Shows

ByDr. Kanika Sharma
Updated: 17 Jun 2026, 11:00 am

Emerging evidence from AIIMS, New Delhi and various other studies indicates that early screen exposure may harm social, language, and behavioural development in young children. However, if you are well aware of such consequences, you can support your child’s development by making appropriate interventions during their most sensitive early years.

Pregatips
A child's early years lay the foundations for their adult life. During this time, your child’s brain develops at an extraordinary pace. Everyday interactions, such as establishing eye contact, touching, speaking, and paying attention, help strengthen neural connections at a very fast pace.
In this article:
Recent observations from AIIMS New Delhi have highlighted a great concern about one emerging habit in modern-day children. This is excessive screen exposure. The experts said that too much screen time before the age of one may be associated with autism-related concerns by the age of three.

This may feel unsettling. However, the purpose of such research is not to alarm you. It is to help you to become aware and foster healthy environments that shape the development of your growing kids. Your thoughtful parenting can help them have a better future.

What the AIIMS Findings Actually Suggest


The AIIMS study highlights an important association. Children below the age of 18 months with higher screen exposure were more likely to show:

  • Reduced eye contact
  • Limited social engagement
  • Delayed communication responses
Experts such as Dr Sheffali Gulati, professor of paediatric neurology at AIIMS Delhi, link these deficits with autism-like behavioural patterns in children.

These behavioural issues become more noticeable when the children grow up to the age of three.

However, some studies also indicate that:

  • Autism has strong genetic roots
  • Screen exposure is only one possible influencing factor
  • Early environment may affect how developmental traits appear
However, the experts have not clearly established that screen exposure is the direct cause of autism. This subject is still being researched.

What Long-Term Research Reveals About Infant Screen Time


Several large-scale studies strengthen these observations.

Study 1

In this study, researchers followed and observed ~84,000 children over time.

It found that higher screen exposure in the first two years was associated with a higher likelihood of autism diagnosis at 12 years, although the relationship was not found to be a direct cause after adjusting for socioeconomic factors.

Study 2

Another study done in Japan observed 57,980 children. It was reported that if children are given long screen times at the ages of one or two years, there is a greater likelihood of delays in their development.

The delays were more pronounced for the following domains:

  • Communication skills
  • Problem-solving abilities
  • Personal-social skills
These studies are valuable because they follow children over several years. So, the conclusions of these studies depict lasting impacts, not just isolated outcomes.


Insights from Observational and Clinical Research


Beyond long-term studies, smaller clinical and observational research also indicates a similar association.

In several hospital-based studies:

  • Children showing autism-like traits often had significantly higher daily screen exposure
  • Many children also had a history of reduced parent–child interaction
Screen exposure alone is not the only concern. The combined effect of these two factors can not be ignored. Moreover, screen time usually replaces parent-child interactive time.

In another observational analysis:

Toddlers with more than 3-4 hours of screen time every day showed increased behavioural concerns. These included:

However, the results do not indicate that screens directly cause these behaviours. The outcomes indicate that spending too much time on screens during the most crucial phases of your kid's physical and mental development may lead to these lags.

What Neuroscience Tells Us About Early Development


Let’s look at how the brain develops in early life to appropriately understand these facts.



During infancy:

A child’s brain development happens with serve-and-return communication. Your child signals, and you respond.

These repeated exchanges strengthen their neural connectivity.

Screens, however, are largely one-directional. Even interactive content cannot provide the following:

  • Real-time emotional feedback
  • Eye contact formation
  • Support for expression development
  • Physical touch
  • Human/parental closeness
Certain studies indicate that reduced interactive engagement may affect the following:

  • Language circuits
  • Social processing networks
  • Attention regulation systems
This explains why early parent-child interaction remains central to development.

The Role of Parent–Child Interaction


One consistent finding across studies is reassuring. Strong parent–child interaction can buffer developmental deficits.

It has also been observed that even in homes where children are watching screens, similar developmental gaps are less likely when there is higher caregiver engagement.

This indicates that responsive communication improves language and socialisation skills in developing kids.

Ultimately, your physical and verbal closeness matter deeply. The following effective tips can support your child’s development significantly:


Screen Exposure Patterns in Indian Settings


In many Indian families, young parents often have several responsibilities to manage every day.

This constantly puts them under stress. In this case, screens (television, smartphones, etc.) can seem like a logical way for time management.

Recent data suggest:

  • In India, it is common to see children under five years old exceeding recommended screen time limits
  • Exposure frequently begins within the first year
Common situations include:

  • Screens used during feeding
  • Mobile devices used to calm distress
  • Television running in the background


Practical Ways to Reduce Screen Time for Infants


You cannot eliminate screens overnight. However, the following tips can help in making practical shifts gradually.

  • Keep mealtimes screen-free to encourage interaction
  • Reduce background television noise
  • Switch off the screen 2-3 hours before sleep
At the same time, increase:


Your attentive, consistent engagement plays a powerful role in your child’s development, helping shape their future in lasting ways. Early childhood is influenced not by occasional habits alone, but by repeated, nurturing interactions that build emotional security, cognitive growth, and lifelong resilience.

Whether you’re pregnant, a new mom, or navigating postpartum, you don’t have to do it alone. Join our support group to connect, share, and support one another.


FAQs on Can Screen Time for Infants Harm Development? What New Research Shows

  1. Does screen time directly cause autism?
    No. Current evidence shows an association, not causation. Numerous factors may lead to autism. Genes and environment have a major role to play in this.
  2. What is the recommended screen time for infants?
    Most experts advise not to introduce screens to your children under 18 months, except for occasional video calls. After that, limited and supervised use is recommended.
  3. Can limiting screen time now improve my child's development?
    Yes. Early childhood development is adaptable. Improving your interactions and minimising screen time will greatly contribute to your child’s health.
Medically Reviewed By:
Dr. Gayathri Karthik Nagesh, Program Director - Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Aster CMI Hospital
How we reviewed this article
Our team continuously monitors the health and wellness space to create relevant content for you. Every article is reviewed by medical experts to ensure accuracy.
  • Current version
  • Jun 17, 2026, 08:39 AMReviewed by
  • Jun 16, 2026, 08:39 AMWritten byDr. Kanika Sharma