HBC201 Sociology Research Proposal Assignment, SUSS, Singapore: Young children and toddlers staring intently at the screens of mobile devices (e.g., smartphones and tablets)

Case Study

Young children and toddlers staring intently at the screens of mobile devices (e.g., smartphones and tablets) for hours has become a common sight nowadays. This is a worrying
trend.

A collaborative research study comprising researchers from the National University of Singapore and the Singapore Institute of Clinical Sciences has found an association between excessive screen time and negative effects on brain development among children.

Through a longitudinal cohort study, the research team reported a dose-response relationship
where the longer a child’s screen time during infancy, the poorer his cognitive functioning
later during childhood. This effect has been shown to persist even after the child turns eight.

The researchers said that their study’s findings are important as they concern the development
of the future generation of Singapore. They also highlighted the need to examine underlying
factors that could explain the excessive screen time among young children.