Can just one hour of daily screen time affect young children’s development?

UAE experts are urging parents to monitor how much time children under five spend watching screens, warning that an hour or more of daily viewing may affect language development, cognitive abilities and social-emotional growth. Dr Saliha Afridi of The LightHouse Arabia said even educational content can become excessive when it replaces real-world experiences such as playing, exploring and interacting with parents and friends. Experts stressed that technology can support learning, but parents should set age-appropriate boundaries, model healthy digital habits and help children navigate online platforms safely. They also highlighted parental controls, supervised accounts and tools that allow families to manage children's digital experiences.

How much screen time do you allow your young children each day? Do you think educational videos are beneficial, or can they affect development when watched for too long? Share your views with us!