COLUMBUS, Ohio-A multinational study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that increased tablet use among young children is linked to higher rates of anger and frustration. The study, which examined children at age 3 1/2, revealed that an additional 75 minutes of tablet use was associated with a 22% increase in anger and frustration a year later. It also noted that children with higher levels of anger and frustration at age 4 1/2 tended to use tablets more by age 5 1/2. The study suggests that early tablet use may contribute to a negative cycle affecting emotional regulation. The average tablet use among 4-year-olds rose from 50 minutes in 2020 to 55 minutes in 2022, raising concerns about its impact on children’s emotional well-being.
