Excessive use of digital devices can negatively affect children’s development, experts warn. In Croatia, an increasing number of children require professional help due to prolonged screen exposure. Despite being aware of the harmful effects of mobile phones, many parents use them to calm or entertain their children.
Studies have shown that long-term screen exposure can negatively impact emotional development, communication, attention, and even speech development in early childhood. These skills develop through exploration, play, and interaction. Nevertheless, many parents prefer to soothe their children with cartoons on mobile devices to get some peace and quiet.
Motor Experiences
Research shows that children today are exposed to digital devices as early as four months old, and 90% of two-year-olds know how to use a tablet or smartphone. Preschool children spend an average of two to four hours a day in front of screens, and half of the parents do not realize how detrimental this is to their child’s development.
In the age up to three years, the brain develops most intensively, and children need a stimulating environment that includes sensory and motor experiences. Play with toys, exploring space, developing motor skills, and communication with others are crucial for forming connections in the brain and acquiring functional knowledge and skills.
On the other hand, screens represent only a series of images without meaningful connections for children, attracting them with colorful visuals and dynamic changes. Once accustomed to rapid changes, other activities become less interesting, and they cannot sustain their attention for long.

Impact on Communication and Social Skills
While parents and children develop two-way communication through eye contact, verbal comments, smiles, and emotions, communication with screens remains one-sided. The damage screens inflict on children can largely be mitigated by changing parental behavior. Completely removing screens allows children to develop necessary skills, but if exposure is too prolonged, the consequences can be irreversible.
The emergence of screenism, a condition caused by excessive screen exposure, is increasingly referred to as “digital autism,” although the two conditions are unrelated.
Developmental Disorders and Screen Exposure
An increasing number of children are showing developmental disorders due to excessive screen use. The distinction between children with congenital neurodevelopmental disorders and those exposed to screens is clearly visible. Parents are often reluctant to admit that they have used screens as a form of babysitter, but experts can identify this through symptoms observed in children.
The Impact of Phones on Brain Function: Key Research Insights
Mobile phones have become indispensable in modern life, but their effects on brain health raise significant concerns. Extensive research highlights how phone usage influences sleep quality, cognitive functions, and overall mental well-being. For instance, studies reveal that frequent nighttime phone use can disrupt sleep patterns, leading to tiredness, impaired concentration, and reduced productivity. Exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) emitted by phones has been shown to alter brain activity, particularly in areas related to memory and attention.
Adolescents who use phones during the night report headaches, daytime fatigue, and difficulty focusing, while heavy phone use has been linked to increased stress and symptoms of depression. Interestingly, limiting phone usage before bedtime improves sleep quality and mood, emphasizing the importance of mindful habits. Research also indicates that even brief phone usage can impair working memory, especially in older adults and those with mild cognitive impairments.
To delve deeper into the findings on this topic, check out the comprehensive article How Phones Affect Brain Health, which provides detailed insights into these studies. Understanding these impacts can encourage healthier phone usage and promote better cognitive and mental health in both children and adults.