For some years now, the use of screens by children has been the subject of multiple studies, the purpose of which has been to understand how they can affect or benefit them . To date, we know that the use of screens must be limited and in a responsible way, and that in the case of the little ones it is better to avoid using them .

Now, new research provides another reason why it is not recommended that babies be exposed to screens, since it found that there is an association between the use of these during the first year of life, with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) to the three years of age. The five things we should teach our children to help them in their ethical and moral development.

The study

Published in the journal Jama Pediatrics , the Japanese study followed 84,030 pairs of mothers and babies , using information provided by another large study conducted in the same country.

When their children were one year old, the mothers were asked to answer questions related to the number of hours per day that their children watched television. When they turned three years old, the same question was repeated again and also, if they had received any diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder , including autism or Asperger’s.

After analyzing the data and making any necessary adjustments, the team found that there was a relationship between excessive screen use at the age of one year and an ASD diagnosis at three years: the more screen use, the greater the odds of receiving this diagnosis, but that this only happened in boys and not in girls.

Although the study does not show a causal relationship between the two, the researchers comment that these are important data, so it is necessary to continue reviewing in depth the effects of the use of screens. Although other studies have shown that they may also have their positive side , it is best to avoid babies and young children spending too much time in front of them .