Tablet use in childhood can cause angry outbursts, study says

Virtually every parent of young children has experienced outbursts of anger and frustration from their child, whether it’s waking up, going to bed, or eating a sandwich without the crust. According to a new study published Monday (12), there’s a possible reason for the frequency of these outbursts: use of tablets .

The new studypublished in the journal JAMA Pediatrics, shows that tablet use by 3.5-year-olds was associated with greater expressions of anger and frustration one year later. In addition, children who were more prone to anger and frustration at 4.5 years were more likely to have greater tablet use one year later (at 5.5 years).

Tablet use in early childhood “may contribute to a cycle” of problems with emotional regulation, according to the study authors.

To understand more about the subject, CNN spoke with wellness expert Leana Wen. She’s an emergency physician and adjunct associate professor at George Washington University, and previously served as Baltimore’s health commissioner. She’s also a mother of two young children.

CNN: Most parents have experienced a tantrum from their young children after we take away their tablet. What did this study find?

Leana Wen : This study was a survey of 315 parents of preschool-aged children in Nova Scotia, Canada. The same parents participated in the study when their children were 3.5 years old (in 2020), 4.5 years old (in 2021), and 5.5 years old (in 2022). They reported on their children’s tablet use and then assessed the children’s anger expressions using a standard questionnaire called the Children’s Behavior Questionnaire.

The researchers found an association between tablet use at age 3.5 and an increase in anger and frustration at age 4.5. They noted that the association between tablet use and anger was bidirectional, as children whose parents noted higher levels of anger and frustration at age 4.5 also had higher tablet use at age 5.5. This means that the effects could go both ways.

It is important to consider that this study took place during the peak years of the COVID-19 pandemic. The researchers noted this context and the fact that the pandemic introduced more stress and disruptions to routines. Still, the bidirectional association between tablet use and the expression of anger and frustration was significant and should serve as a wake-up call for parents to be mindful of screen time.

CNN: Were you surprised by the results of this study?

Wen : Not at all. There have been other studies that have reached similar results.

One article published this year sheds some light on why tablet use may be linked to angry outbursts. Researchers found that among children ages 2 to 5, those whose parents frequently used technology to manage their negative emotions were more likely to show poor anger management and frustration a year later.

These children were also less able to decide on a deliberate response rather than an automatic reaction.

One reason is that children need to learn how to deal with their own negative emotions. They need to go through this process as part of their childhood development, supported by parents, caregivers and teachers.

If, instead, they are given a tablet, computer or smartphone in an attempt to calm them down, they will not learn to manage these emotions on their own. This can result in problems later in childhood and adulthood, including anger management.

CNN: Does this mean parents should completely avoid tablets for their kids?

Wen : Not necessarily. There are some apps that can help with learning, and many schools use tablets in their curriculum. I think the new JAMA Pediatrics study, as well as other research, illustrates that tablets, smartphones, and other electronic devices should not be used as pacifiers. They should not be given to children when they are crying and upset in an attempt to calm them down.

They also shouldn’t be used as a babysitter that replaces adult interaction with the child. Children learn through active social engagement with others, and a big problem with screens — whether playing apps or watching movies or TV shows — is that they replace face-to-face interaction with other children and adults.

CNN: You have two young children. What is your policy on tablet use?

Wen : I try really hard to limit screen time. My kids, ages 4 and almost 7, are allowed to watch an hour of movies on the weekends. During the week, screen time is limited to when one of them has an asthma flare-up and needs to use the nebulizer machine; I allow them to watch a show for no more than 10 minutes to complete their breathing treatment.

We have tablets that I let them use for special occasions. For example, we just took a long transatlantic flight to visit my husband’s family in South Africa. The kids were able to use their tablets during the flight. Also, if they were at a friend’s house and other kids were playing with a tablet, we wouldn’t forbid them from playing with it too. Of course, they are allowed to use tablets at school if necessary.

Still, I totally understand the temptation to give kids tablets. My youngest went through a period of terrible tantrums, and I knew she would calm down if I put on a program or let her use the tablet. It’s also really hard sometimes when childcare fails and my husband or I need a babysitter.

On several occasions when I have had virtual meetings and no babysitter, I have had to compromise and let the kids watch a movie while I participate in the meeting. I try to make these situations the exception rather than the rule, as I want to limit the potential impact of tablet use on my children.

CNN: The new study is about young children. What about older children — what does the research say about their screen use, especially the time they spend on social media?

Wen : There is a lot of research on this topic that culminated in U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, issuing a warning warning parents about the dangers of social media. Earlier this year, Murthy said he wanted to add a warning label to social media apps, similar to the warnings on cigarettes and alcoholic beverages.

In a studygirls who spent two hours or more on social media were more likely to report depression and self-harm compared to those who used less. Another big study involving three data sets found that teens who used social media for five or more hours a day were 171% more likely to be unhappy compared to those who used it for less than an hour a day.

This is in the context of near-universal social media use, with up to 95 percent of 13- to 17-year-olds reporting social media use. American teens report spending a shocking amount of time — nearly five hours a day — on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and other social media apps.

There are several problems with this level of social media use, one of which is what this time is replacing. Kids who are glued to their phones and tablets for this amount of time are not participating in sports and not getting enough physical activity. They are not interacting in real life with each other. And they are not getting adequate sleep. All of these factors are detrimental to their physical and mental well-being.

CNN: What advice would you give to parents about screen time?

Wen : I would recommend four things: First, for those of you with young children, put off using smartphones and social media for as long as possible. This works best if you can coordinate with other parents, as peer pressure is a big reason kids start.

Second, as mentioned earlier, parents should try not to turn to screens and tablets as a way to stop tantrums. For young children, tantrums are a normal part of development. Parents who are concerned about the frequency or duration of tantrums should consult their pediatrician.

Third, for those whose children already have smartphones and use social media apps, talk to them about the impact of social media on them. Some may recognize the addictive potential of their devices and want to reduce their use on their own. Others may be persuaded to reduce screen time in favor of other activities, such as face-to-face time with friends.

Fourth, set limits. This should include no phones in the bedroom at night and places that should be device-free — such as the classroom and the dinner table. Parents should also follow these limits and set a good example. It’s no surprise that studies have also shown that parents who spend a lot of time glued to their devices are more likely to have children who do the same.

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