Too much screen time may trigger lasting brain delays, top health official warns

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As screens compete for families’ attention, children’s development is paying the price, top federal health officials warn.

Early and excessive screen time can trigger severe neurocognitive delays in young children, impacting attention spans, memory and language skills, according to Dr. Stephanie Haridopolos, interim surgeon general and principal deputy assistant secretary of health.

“Parents are now fighting for attention from the screens,” Haridopolos told Fox News Digital.

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To help parents combat screen addiction, the U.S. Surgeon General’s Office has released a targeted framework known as “the 5 Ds.”

No. 1: Discuss

Don’t wait for a conflict to establish boundaries, experts recommend. Sit down as a family to outline clear, age-appropriate rules regarding when, where and how long screens can be used throughout the day.

Setting explicit expectations ahead of time cuts down on daily arguments, experts say.

Parents and children use wireless devices while sitting on a sofa in a living room.

No. 2: Do (model the behavior)

Parents should model healthy screen habits themselves, Haridopolos said.

“If we’re constantly on our screens, then perhaps our children will be, too,” she said, encouraging adults to “be good role models and lead by example.”

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No. 3: Divert

Rather than defaulting to giving children a tablet when they’re bored, Haridopolos recommended steering them toward hands-on activities, such as doing arts and crafts or preparing a healthy meal together.

4. Disconnect

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Breaks like summer and the holidays are critical windows for families to reset digital boundaries, the interim surgeon general suggested.

Woman entering PIN on cell phone at restaurant table.

Haridopolos encouraged families to build regular screen-free periods into their daily routines, including during meals, car rides and before bedtime.

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Mealtimes: Keep family dinners focused on face-to-face conversation.
In the car: Treat travel time as a chance to reconnect rather than defaulting to phones or seat-back screens.
Before bed: Turn off blue-light devices at least an hour before sleep to avoid disrupting natural sleep cycles.

No. 5: Delay

As part of the “Delay” step, Haridopolos recommended putting off children’s access to screens whenever possible. One way to do that, she said, is by requiring phones and other mobile devices to be charged overnight in a shared household space — like the kitchen or living room — rather than in children’s bedrooms.

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“Those are some simple activities that you can do that will make huge changes in the future,” the interim surgeon general added.

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