School Advisor Articles

UPM/UiTM 2026 study: 26.7% of toddlers with excessive screen time show developmental concerns

A 2026 collaborative study by researchers from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) has highlighted a growing public health concern regarding digital media consumption in early childhood. The research indicates that 26.7% of toddlers exposed to excessive screen time exhibit significant developmental concerns, particularly in areas of communication and social interaction.

The Scope of Screen Exposure

The study monitored 1,200 toddlers across Malaysia to evaluate the impact of digital devices on early growth milestones. Excessive screen time was defined as any usage exceeding one hour per day for children aged 18 to 36 months, a threshold that aligns with World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations. Researchers found that a large majority of participants exceeded this limit, with some toddlers spending upwards of three hours daily on smartphones and tablets.

Identified Developmental Concerns

The most prominent issue identified in the study was the risk of "suboptimal personal and social development." Specifically, the 26.7% of toddlers flagged for developmental concerns showed delays in expressive language and an inability to follow simple social cues. The findings suggest that when a child is engaged with a screen, they lose critical opportunities for "back and forth" interaction with caregivers. This interaction is the primary mechanism through which the human brain develops social and linguistic competencies during the formative years.

The data also revealed a correlation between gadget ownership and the severity of these concerns. Toddlers who possessed their own dedicated devices were more likely to engage in solitary viewing, which the researchers noted was more detrimental than co-viewing with a parent.

Factors Influencing Excessive Use

The UPM/UiTM researchers identified several environmental factors contributing to high screen usage. Children in "mixed care" environments, such as those moving between home and multiple secondary caregivers, were three times more likely to exceed screen time limits. In these settings, digital devices are often used as "digital pacifiers" to manage behaviour or keep children occupied during transitions.

Furthermore, parental modelling played a significant role. The study found a direct link between parents' screen habits and toddlers' screen habits. Parents who frequently used their phones for entertainment were less likely to encourage non-screen activities like outdoor play or shared reading.

Recommendations for Caregivers

To mitigate these risks, the study advocates for stricter adherence to the American Academy of Pediatrics and WHO guidelines. These organisations recommend no screen time for children under 18 months, except for video chatting, and a maximum of 1 hour of high-quality programming for children aged 2 to 5 years.

The researchers emphasise the importance of "active mediation," where parents watch content alongside their children to help them understand what they are seeing. Moving forward, the UPM and UiTM teams suggest that early childhood health screenings in Malaysia should include specific assessments for digital media habits to identify at-risk toddlers before developmental gaps widen.