Babies missing out on emotional development because of parents’ phone addiction, experts warn

The most vulnerable – children aged under three – are missing out on vital eye contact and interaction time with parents, who can be “addicted” to the phone and absorbed with their screen.

And there is also the danger of an ­accident happening as parents become too distracted.

The warning has come from the paediatric psychology team in Children’s Health Ireland, which oversees the three Dublin children’s hospitals. The experts said smartphones are now like “an ­extension of our limbs”.

Senior clinical psychologist Anne-­Marie Casey pointed to the benefits and convenience of being able to use a phone or other device to do tasks such as shopping and banking at home.

But she also said “the flip-side is the negative consequences on our infants’ emotions and behaviours”.

Emerging research suggests the extent of smartphone use around infants is impacting on their relationships, attachment, social and emotional development, and language learning.

“Physical safety for children is also an issue, with the number of accidents reported increasing since the introduction of the 4G network,” Dr Casey said.

She explained the importance of eye contact between a baby and parent. It is the way the child learns to “process their world and regulate emotions”.

It is a brand-new world for the baby and they look to the person who is caring for them to learn how to respond with joy, fear or curiosity, setting the foundation for emotional and psychological development, she added.

If a parent’s concentration is on their phone, they have what is known as a “still face” and this leads to missed opportunities, causing inadequate interaction with the baby and a loss of exchange and reaction, which are important to the child’s emotional and behavioural development.

“When we engage with technology, we cannot engage with our babies and children simultaneously, and it is the smallest, those under three, that are most vulnerable to our emotional absence when we are on devices,” the experts added.

They have issued the warning to mark Infant Mental Awareness Week, with this year’s theme “speak up for babies”.

Paediatric clinical psychologist in the children’s hospital group Dr Claire Crowe said a few simple tips can help parents and said it is important not to shame or blame them, as “all of us are complicit in this”.

“It is essential that we show compassion to ourselves in this conversation. Smartphones are akin to an addiction and the first step in overcoming an addiction is simply noticing that there is a problem,” Dr Crowe said.

“So let us loosen the literal grip our phones have on us as parents. We can follow the models of breaking addictions that are well established.”

She advised parents to ask themselves what they are scrolling – is it guidance on child rearing or social media? And if it is a means to reduce stress, a walk could be an alternative.

Look at when you put it away, such as at dinner, and leave it until after children have gone to bed.

Another helpful suggestion is to “hide it from temptation” by putting the phone in a zip-lock bag.

Use a “phone box”, where the phone is placed when you walk in the door and not opened until after bedtime.

Another piece of guidance is to “have a phone pal”. This is where a parent asks someone else to be watchful and remind them if they go back to browsing for too long.

“Phone patrol can be a game that the kids play when they catch you on your phone. They will enjoy being in charge and getting you in trouble. Laugh about how you made a mistake, pick yourself up and try again,” Dr Crowe said.

Recognise a habit and try to replace it, so “keep your hands busy”.

She added: “For most of us, our phone is like an extension of our limbs, so this is a mammoth task. Celebrate victories. If your screen-time viewing reduces, congratulate yourself and tell others. “

Put the phone on speaker when taking a call, which allows you to continue to monitor your baby.