New Research Finds A Bad Effect Of Parents Using Smartphones To Soothe Toddlers

A recent study published on March 2 by scientists at the Boston Medical Center claimed that parents using their smartphones to calm their toddlers could lead to their child growing up with some social-emotional problems. With modern technology being part of everyone's lifestyle these days, parents who are of low income tend to use their mobile phones in order to soothe their crying toddlers.

A lot of parents are resorting to using their smartphones, especially when they see that it is effective when it comes to calming their child. According to Psychiatry Advisory, an online journal recently published a study that connects the link between toddlers who are exposed to their parents using smartphones and its effect on their behavior.

The study's lead researcher Dr. Jenny S. Radesky used 144 parents along with their children whose age are from 15 to 36 months. All details were documented and were analyzed using the Baby or Preschool Pediatric Symptom Checklist.

Results showed that parents who use their smartphone to make their kids behave are more likely to have their child experience social-emotional hardships, as they grow up. It is not a good idea to use your phones to calm your child when you are trying to have some peace and quiet around the house. According to the researchers, "Longitudinal studies are needed to understand the transactional relationship between the use of digital technology and the developmental trajectories of children." 

This is not the first time that a bad effect was linked to using smartphones to calm a child. In an article published by Quartz, the executive director of Japan Pediatric Association also said that if parents continue to use their smartphones to soothe their toddlers, they lose a chance to communicate with their child, which is an important role in parenting.