Books Are Better Than Tablets for Reading to Young Children, Study Finds

Ninety-eight percent of families of children under age 9 own a cell phone or tablet, and toddlers spend on average over two hours per day using digital media. These digital devices may not be as educational for young children as books, according to the study, “Parent Verbalizations and Toddler Responses With Touchscreen Tablet Nursery Rhyme Apps” in the December 2021 Pediatrics (published online Dec. 1). Researchers examined interactions between 72 parents with their young children, ages 24-36 months, comparing the use of tablet apps with traditional children’s books. The study found that parents talked more to their children while reading a book, compared with tablets, and children responded more to their parent’s conversation when using the books, as well. This is important because parent-child interactions are central to future child developmental outcomes in language development, friendships, and school success, the study notes. Children more prone to emotional outbursts also responded to their parents better when reading from a book compared with a digital device. Researchers concluded software designers should integrate feedback from trained early childhood specialists to make e-books more educational for children, while eliminating distractions like animations, ads and other pop-ups. Pediatricians may recommend that parents co-view digital media with their children, asking questions and talking to help their children engage and learn, the study concludes.

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The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.