The American Academy of Pediatrics had previously recommended limiting screen exposure in young children, citing development risks (1). The COVID-19 pandemic, which caused high, unrelenting levels of stress, anxiety and depression, might have increased these risks, as socially isolated children are more vulnerable to negative parental emotions and unhealthy behaviour at home, such as excessive or inappropriate screen time (2).
High screen use by children aged 12-36 months during the first COVID-19 lockdown was associated with parental stress and screen use.