Screen time in early childhood linked to developmental delays in some skills, studies suggest

Multiple studies find associations between higher screen time before age 1 and delays in communication, problem-solving, motor, and social skills at ages 2-4.
Amount of screen time appears related to risk, with over 4 hours linked to greatest likelihood of delays across all domains.
Effects were most pronounced at age 2 and lessened by age 4, remaining for communication and problem-solving skills.
Studies relied on parent-reported data and could not prove causation, only correlation.
Experts recommend limiting entertainment screen time, opting for high-quality educational content, and emphasizing real-world interactions.