How tablets and smartphones could be damaging your toddler’s brain

Toddlers PLONING in front of a screen causes lasting brain damage, researchers say.

Children struggle to stay alert, control emotions, follow directions, and complete tasks.

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Boffins asked parents to report how long children as young as 12 months spent in front of screens each day.

This was divided into groups – less than an hour, one to two hours, two to four hours and more than four hours.

The tots’ brain activity was assessed at ages 12 and 18 months, and traits such as attention span and impulse control at age nine.

The results showed that children who were exposed to screens longer had more low-frequency waves – consistent with their efforts to stay alert.

Brains grow fast from birth, but the part behind attention and emotion — the prefrontal cortex — takes longer to form.

Development is disrupted by the bombardment of fast-paced images and flashing lights.

Toddlers’ brains are overwhelmed and struggle to develop cognitive skills.

Professor Chong Yap Seng said of the Singapore study: “The results should not be taken lightly as they have implications for the development of future generations.”