The recent popularity over the Pokémon game prompts us to share worrying data on the usage of electronic screens by young children in Malaysia. The concerns expressed in the media about the effect of the Pokémon game on children are the ‘tip of the iceberg’. Of greater concern is the extensive daily use of electronic screens by very young children.

The Clinical Research Centre Perak conducted a community study last year, asking parents of two-year-olds to recall the past 24 hour of their screen usage. After interviewing 340 parents we found that the average two-year-old Malaysian child spends six hours on screens every day. This volume of time spent on electronic screens is extremely worrying.

Seventy three percent of them used handphones or tablets and 95 percent were engaging two screens at the same time (TV on all the time). In addition 49 percent were using screens unaccompanied.

Many parents and child minders use screens as convenient babysitters but there is increasing research and data supporting that electronic screens affect young children adversely. Young children who watch screens for more than two hours per day are six times more likely to develop a language delay (American Association of Pediatrics 2011).

Medical professionals who work extensively with children are concerned with the increasing numbers of children presenting with speech delay locally. Other studies have found that excessive screen time impairs child-parent interactions, are linked to obesity through a sedentary lifestyle, predispose to screen addiction, affect sleep and emotional well-being and learning.

The content that children watch on their screens is also very important. Children may inadvertently be exposed to inappropriate content or be accessible to online risks. Our study showed that half the two-year-olds were using screens unsupervised.

We strongly encourage parents and child minders not to make electronic screens available to young children. Our recommendations, in line with international guidelines, are that children under the age of two years should not be exposed to any screens, including televisions. Children aged two to five years should have a maximum of two hours a day with screens, always supervised and preferably in an interactive way with parents/child minders.

In addition we recognise that many adults and families need breaks from their screens. Most Malaysians appear to be ‘addicted’ to their screens. We strongly recommend at least one to two screen-free-days for the family weekly. During this time the family should avoid TV, tablets, hand phones, computers, electronic games, music, etc. We suggest turning off your wifi and data plan and silencing all notification except phone calls.

We recommend spend time outdoors, preferably with nature (not just with food). We also suggest not taking any pictures or selfies but spend time listening to each other.

As a society, we need to find balance in the use of electronic devices, especially hand phones and tablets. Parents and child minders must use electronic screens wisely in the lives of children. Excessive use may impair their development and irreparably affect their future.

SURIA JUNUS is research officer and DR AMAR-SINGH HSS is head, Clinical Research Centre Perak.