Conflicting Guidelines on Young Children's Screen Time and Use of Digital Technology Create Policy and Practice Dilemmas

ABSTRACT:

Across the globe, many children live in a digitally enmeshed world. Education and industry authorities encourage the use of digital technology by children to prepare them to thrive in a digital world. Health authorities, in contrast, discourage young children’s use of digital technology and raise concerns about the potential negative effects on children’s physical, cognitive, emotional, and social well-being. This paper articulates the differing perspectives of education and health authorities that result in a dilemma for those charged with providing for young children’s health, care, education, development, and well-being—that of conflicting advice regarding the use of digital technology in early childhood.