Increased tablet use at age 3.5 leads to more anger and frustration at age 4.5

THURSDAY, Aug. 15, 2024 (HealthDay News) — Tablet use in early childhood may contribute to a cycle that is detrimental to emotional regulation, according to a study published online Aug. 12 in JAMA Pediatrics.

Caroline Fitzpatrick, Ph.D., of the Université de Sherbrooke in Quebec, Canada, and her colleagues estimated how tablet use by children ages 3.5 to 5.5 years contributes to anger and frustration expressions. The analysis included data from 315 parents of preschool-aged children.

The researchers found that a one standard deviation (SD) increase in tablet use at age 3.5 years (1.15 hours per day) was associated with a 22 percent increase in anger/frustration at age 4.5 years. A one SD increase in anger and frustration at age 4.5 years was associated with a 22 percent increase in tablet use of 0.28 hours per day at age 5.5 years.

“A child’s ability to effectively regulate anger and frustration ultimately plays an important role in the ability to delay gratification and successfully meet the demands of early schooling and later health. Screen use in general and mobile device use in particular is increasingly present in the lives of young children,” the authors write. “Our study suggests that parents should be made aware that tablet use in early childhood may impair the ability to manage anger and frustration and lead to increased outbursts in young children.”

One author disclosed financial ties to Abbott and Libbs.

Summary/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Copyright © 2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.