Parental reliance on digital devices to calm youngsters is linked to behavior problems

• Evidence suggests that this type of screen time might displace opportunities for 9- to 30-month-old children to cultivate self-regulation skills, leading to behavior problems.
• For mothers, higher parenting stress was associated with more frequent use of devices - and that use was, in turn, linked to continued stress over time.
• For fathers, device use was also associated with children's behavior problems, though not directly tied to reported stress levels.

Irvine, Calif., April 23, 2026 - For many parents, handing a phone or tablet to a fussy baby or toddler can feel like an easy solution in a distressing moment. But new research led by the University of California, Irvine suggests that this common strategy may come with longer-term trade-offs.

In a study published in Developmental Psychology, researchers found that using digital devices to calm or distract very young children was linked to increased behavior problems over time - and, for mothers, higher levels of parenting stress. The team, comprising scholars from six universities, followed 210 families from when children were 9 to 30 months old. The racially, ethnically and economically diverse sample offers one of the first longitudinal examinations of how parenting stress, media use and child behavior gradually interact.

Notably, while most parents reported rarely using devices to calm infants, by the time children reached toddlerhood, all parents in the study acknowledged using devices this way at least some days each week.

"Digital devices are incredibly effective at capturing children's attention, especially when they are upset or bored," said lead author Stephanie M. Reich, UC Irvine professor of education. "But when devices are used to calm or distract children, they may displace opportunities for children to develop self-regulation skills - skills that are critical for long-term social and emotional development."

The findings point to a pattern that may feel familiar to many families.

For mothers, higher parenting stress was linked to more frequent use of devices to calm or distract young children. That increased use was associated with more behavior problems in toddlerhood, which was tied to heightened parenting stress over time.

Together, the results suggest a potential cycle: stress → device use → behavior challenges → more stress. While the study does not establish causation, it highlights how everyday parenting strategies and children's development may gradually influence one another.

Much of the public conversation around children and media focuses on total screen time. This study points to something different: how and why devices are used.

When children are upset, moments that might otherwise involve soothing, interaction and communication can instead be replaced by screen use. Researchers describe this as "displacement," where screens may limit opportunities for children to develop crucial self-regulation skills.

"Those everyday interactions are how young children learn to manage their emotions," Reich noted. "If those moments are consistently replaced, it may shape development in ways we're only beginning to understand."

The study also highlights the importance of including both mothers and fathers in research on early childhood and media use. While patterns differed, fathers' use of devices to calm or distract children was also linked to children's behavior problems over time - despite not being directly tied to reported stress levels.

"Understanding how families use media requires looking at the full family system," Reich said.

About the University of California, Irvine: Founded in 1965, UC Irvine is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is ranked among the nation's top 10 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. The campus has produced five Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UC Irvine has more than 36,000 students and offers 224 degree programs. It's located in one of the world's safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County's second-largest employer, contributing $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide. For more on UC Irvine, visit www.uci.edu.

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