Using a tablet more as a preschooler linked to problems regulating anger and frustration

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2024-08-13 01:00

International

What does this mean?

Jump to: MultimediaAttachmentsExpert Reaction

Using a tablet more as a preschooler is linked to more problems regulating anger and frustration, according to international research. The team collected data from over 300 parents of preschool aged children on how frequently their kids were using a tablet and having outbursts of anger and frustration. They say at 3.5 years old, using a tablet for about 1 hour and 15 minutes more a day was linked to about a 22% increase in outbursts a year later, and this association continued for tablet use at 4.5 years old and outbursts at 5.5. This study cannot prove that tablet use is causing these difficulties in regulating emotion, however, the researchers say it suggests tablet use in early childhood could be contributing to a cycle that is disrupting their ability to learn emotional regulation skills.