Internet access in early childhood more than doubled in less than a decade in Brazil, rising from 11% in 2015 to 23% in 2024. This includes nearly half (44%) of babies up to 2 years old and 71% of children aged 3 to 5.
The data are part of the study *Proteção à primeira infância entre telas e mídias digitais*, published by the Núcleo Ciência Pela Infância (NCPI) and released this Tuesday (17).
The publication recalls that the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics does not recommend screen use for children under 2 years old.
For children aged 2 to 5, the guidance is to limit time to up to one hour per day, always with supervision by a responsible adult.
Social Inequality
The research shows that social inequalities have a direct impact on the numbers. According to the survey, 69% of children from low-income families are exposed to excessive screen time.
The lower the income, the greater the chances that screens will replace interaction and play, elements considered essential for child development.
One of the coordinators of the publication, Senior Associate Professor at the University of São Paulo (USP) in Ribeirão Preto, Maria Beatriz Linhares, states that “excessive screen time in early childhood, especially among children from low-income families, reveals a context of overload and lack of support for families”.
Science is clear: without human interaction, without play, and without presence, children lose essential opportunities to develop language, affective bonds, emotional regulation, and social skills,” she adds.
The results align with the research *Panorama da Primeira Infância: O que o Brasil sabe, vive e pensa sobre os primeiros seis anos de vida* from the Fundação Maria Cecilia Souto Vidigal.
The study surveyed 822 caregivers of children aged 0 to 6 and revealed that 78% of children aged 0 to 3 are exposed to screens daily, despite caregivers recognizing the importance of setting limits.
Impacts on the Brain
According to the material released this Tuesday by the NCPI, intense use of digital media is associated with changes in brain anatomy, with possible harm toSet featured image visual processing and cognitive functions such as voluntary attention, letter recognition, and social cognition.
Professor Maria Thereza Souza, from the Department of Learning Psychology, Development, and Personality at the University of São Paulo (USP), says that the quality of the content and passive and excessive screen use affect brain areas related to language, emotion regulation, and impulse control.
“Exposure to inappropriate content, as well as passive screen use without appropriate language, can lead to developmental harm. Even cartoons may be associated with attention problems in children aged 3 to 6,” the professor says.
There is also a warning about risks associated with exposure to violent content. This type of material can reduce activity in brain structures responsible for regulating hostile behavior and increase activation of areas involved in executing aggressive plans.
Violent video games and other content of this type are associated with a higher risk of hostile behaviors, desensitization to violence, anxiety, depression, nightmares, and greater acceptance of violence as a way to resolve conflicts.
In light of this scenario, the NCPI highlights the need for intersectoral public policies that integrate health, education, social assistance, and rights protection. Among the recommendations are awareness campaigns on responsible technology use, qualified training for professionals, monitoring of age ratings, and protection against inappropriate content and abusive advertising.
The study also emphasizes the importance of strengthening family support networks, ensuring public spaces for play, and promoting digital education from the early years, so that children grow up in balanced environments with real bonds and fundamental experiences for development.
The researchers highlight the central role of parents and caregivers in actively mediating the use of digital devices. Among the recommended practices are:
• establishing age-appropriate time limits;
• avoiding screens before bedtime or during meals;
• prioritizing play and in-person interaction;
• monitoring consumed content and choosing age-appropriate educational materials;
• maintaining screen-free zones at home;
• parents and caregivers should also be examples of conscious technology use.
The study compiles evidence from national and international sources, such as the TIC Kids Online Brasil research, guidelines from the World Health Organization and the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics, as well as peer-reviewed studies on the effects of screen exposure on child development.
Source: Agência Brasil