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Meet Dr Álvaro Bilbao, author of Understanding Your Child's Brain

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Dr Bilbao has published Understanding Your Child's Brain, which recommends parents ration or not allow screen time for children under six. He says devices with screens should ‘find their way into the child's hands gradually’ once they have developed emotionally and intellectually.
Dr Álvaro Bilbao
Dr Álvaro Bilbao

WHEN DID CHILDREN’S SCREEN USE BECOME OF INTEREST TO YOU?

I started to warn about screen use with children in 2012. In my experience as a neuropsychologist in brain injury rehabilitation, I’m aware of many different studies that demonstrate that computer-based rehabilitation for adults and children with intellectual disabilities has no beneficial effect. The reasons lie in the nature of human learning. We are designed to learn through human interaction. A recent study showed how brain connectivity reduces when children play with video games and increases when they are reading a book or playing with peers.

WHY DO YOU RECOMMEND RATIONING OR NO SCREEN TIME FOR CHILDREN UNDER SIX?

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