The Screen Time Question Every Parent Asks
If you're a parent in Singapore, you've probably wondered: Is it okay for my baby to watch screens? For parents of premature infants—babies born before 32 weeks gestation—this question feels even more urgent. New research from Frontiers in Developmental Psychology offers important insights that can help you make informed choices for your little one during these precious early months.
What the Research Found
Researchers studied 64 very premature infants at 12 months of age (adjusted for their early birth). The findings paint an interesting picture of screen habits in modern families. About 72% of parents reported using screens while their baby was in the room, averaging around 1 hour daily. More directly, about 39% of the premature infants were watching screens themselves—roughly 4 hours per week.
Here's where it gets important: while some screen exposure didn't significantly harm overall development scores, babies who spent more time directly watching screens showed lower language and cognitive abilities. The more screen time, the bigger the gap. These babies also showed reduced tactile exploration—meaning they touched and explored objects less, which is crucial for early learning.
Interestingly, screen exposure didn't affect babies' social skills or their ability to share attention with caregivers. This suggests that different areas of development may be affected differently by early screen time.
Why This Matters for Singapore Families
As a fast-paced, technology-forward society, Singapore families often juggle multiple screens while caring for young children. Many parents work from home or rely on screens to manage family life. This research is particularly relevant because premature infants have already faced early challenges in the womb—they're playing developmental catch-up from the start.
The study controlled for socio-economic status, meaning the findings apply across different income levels in our community. Whether you're in a HDB flat or a condo, in the heart of the CBD or in the suburbs, these results hold weight.
What's encouraging is that the study doesn't suggest screens are entirely off-limits. Rather, it highlights that direct, sustained exposure—baby actually watching content—has measurable effects, while screens used passively in the background show fewer associations with developmental delays.
Three Things You Can Do Today
- Prioritise hands-on exploration over passive watching. Instead of using screens to keep your baby occupied, offer age-appropriate toys, safe objects to touch and mouth, and interactive play. Your premature infant's tactile development is actively building their brain connections—physical exploration is irreplaceable.
- Be intentional about background screens. If you need screens on while managing household tasks, that's understandable. But try to limit your baby's direct viewing time. Save screen content for moments when it genuinely supports learning or gives you essential rest—not as default entertainment.
- Protect interaction time with caregivers. The research shows social skills weren't affected by screens in this age group, but early language and cognition depend heavily on responsive adult interaction. Prioritise talking, singing, and playing with your baby during the day. These moments build language skills that screens simply cannot.
Remember: your premature baby is already working hard to catch up developmentally. Every month of their first year counts. By being thoughtful about screen time now, you're giving your little one the best foundation for language, thinking, and learning to flourish.