Screen Time Is Endangering Children

A recent study from the United Kingdom highlights the dangers of screen time for children age two and under (The Guardian, June 27, 2026). The research, conducted by four UK universities, is “the most comprehensive review yet of all available global research on the subject.” The findings call for stricter guidelines for parents of children under age five. Current government recommendations are that parents completely avoid allowing their babies the use of screens in order to protect their health, aside from meaningful family time that could include a digital device. The research highlights health risks when babies use such screens, including “reduced opportunities to bond with parents and caregivers, less time for physical play with other children and limited language development.” There is now evidence that even babies “are turning to digital devices for comfort and soothing, rather than to a parent.”

And babies aren’t the only ones at risk. Growing evidence shows that screen time among older children and adolescents “can be associated with worse sleep, decreased functioning in school, less physical activity and weakened in-person relationships” (CNN, May 20, 2026). According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, “While screen use can have some benefits, the evidence of a range of risks to children’s overall mental and physical health is mounting.”

Many parents use screens to pacify their children so that they can focus elsewhere. However, parenting is a full-time job, requiring dedication, focus, and intentionality. In a world where Satan is the “god of this age” (2 Corinthians 4:4), parents must remember that relying on an electronic device to babysit a child may be inviting Satan to participate in raising that child. The Bible contains powerful principles that can be applied to help raise children effectively. If you want to learn more about this vital subject, read or listen to Successful Parenting: God’s Way.