Are smartphones safe for kids under 3?

Are Smartphones Safe for Kids Under 3? 📱👶

It’s a question we’re asked often — and the science is increasingly clear.

The early years are a critical time for the development of the frontal cortex — the brain region responsible for emotional regulation, attention, and decision-making. During this window, high levels of screen stimulation can flood the brain’s reward system with dopamine, the “feel-good” neurotransmitter.

But too much dopamine too early can lead to a kind of burnout later in life. Research shows that overexposure to digital stimulation in the formative years can reduce the brain’s natural sensitivity to pleasure and reward. This may be one reason we’re seeing rising rates of anxiety, depression, and dysregulation among preteens and teenagers.

Children under 2 should have no screen time, and those aged 2–5 should only have very limited, supervised exposure (WHO).

Why? Because young brains thrive on:
• Human connection, not passive content
• Movement and touch, not stillness and swiping
• Real-world play, not algorithmic input

At Clinton Cancer Care & Wellness for Life, we believe early emotional wellbeing is the foundation for lifelong mental health.

That’s why we encourage families to explore wellness rituals that restore connection, calm the nervous system, and support children in learning how to self-regulate and feel good in their own bodies.

From gentle treatments to sensory-based therapies, our child-friendly spa environment offers nurturing alternatives to screen time — helping little ones build emotional resilience, one soothing moment at a time.

Let’s raise a generation that knows how to come back to themselves. 🌿

#EarlyYearsMatter #FrontalCortex #DigitalWellbeing #DopamineBalance #WellnessForChildren