World Bank Group
Over the past decade, the touchscreen has become the default digital babysitter for millions of children under five around the world. Since 2012, the share of households with an internet-connected mobile device has more than doubled in both OECD countries and upper-middle-income countries (OECD, 2019), turning every living room, bus row, and waiting room into a potential media hub.
Currently, the average preschooler spends about two hours a day in front of a screen¡ªdouble the one-hour limit set by the World Health Organization for children aged 2 to 5 (WHO, 2019).
How does screen exposure affect early development?
- Excessive exposure at early ages is linked to slower language growth.
- Loss of attention and concentration abilities.
- Weak skills for socializing and interacting with others.
- Reduced motor coordination.
- Changes in sleep patterns.
Balance the digital scale
The report Screen Time in Early Childhood Education: Balancing the Digital Scales offers a balanced perspective that neither demonizes technology nor dismisses legitimate concerns. Digital technology is an inescapable part of modern childhood, and appropriate, guided exposure helps prepare children for the world they will inherit.
The goal is not to eliminate screens, but to set usage guidelines that protect experiences fundamental to development while also leveraging the benefits of well-designed digital tools.
By applying the evidence-based approaches described in this report, we can help ensure that young children experience the potential benefits of digital innovation while preserving human interactions, play experiences, and opportunities for discovery that lay the foundations for lifelong learning and development.
This report is part of the Digital Innovations in Education series for Latin America and the Caribbean. These studies and academic reports are designed to maximize the use of technology and promote the proper use of digitalization in education.
It is essential to approach this topic with nuance rather than alarm. Digital technology is an inescapable part of modern childhood, and appropriate, guided exposure helps prepare children for the world they will inherit. The goal is not to eliminate screens but to establish patterns of use that protect critical developmental experiences while capturing potential benefits of thoughtfully designed digital tools.