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Screen time affects kids' brain development

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No doubt, many kids received a new tablet or computer for Christmas, but many experts are concerned about the impact of screen time on the brain development in young kids.

And new today, a study is shedding light on those concerns.

"It's kind of my soap box."

Shannon Visentin is a Pediatric Occupational Therapist who has strong opinions about screen time and young kids.

"I'm feeling lately that a lot of kids cannot problem solve. They come in, they cannot build a fort."

The term, "Screen Time" has become a double-edged sword.

Experts believe it's a part of life, but it's also changing life.

"Seeing these babies, these toddlers on phones at parks and restaurants, it's starting to bother me a lot more, because they are not getting the language and interaction with friends and family. They're not multi-sensory learning."

A new study took a look at the brains of 3 to 5-year-old children who used screens more than the recommended one hour a day.

The findings determined it affected brain development, language, literacy, and cognitive skills.

Buffy Pagano has twin 4-year-olds and she says you have to allow yourself the convenience of screen time to a certain degree.

"You have to also teach your kid, when you have your iPad and somebody walks into the room, you put your iPad down and go over and address them and say hello. You still have to be a parent."

Visentin warns that parents should limit their screen time around their children as well.

"Sometimes you will see more behaviors coming out, because the negative behaviors are getting their parent's attention away from that device, that cell phone."

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