Is Screen Time Stealing Your Child’s Social Growth? A BCBA’s Perspective on What to Watch For

Who's really teaching our children?

How Screen Time ImHow Screen Time Impacts Social Skills: A BCBA’s Perspective on Child Development in the Digital Age

Let’s talk about screen time. It’s a big part of how kids spend their day now, whether it’s cartoons, tablets, video games, or YouTube. And while some screen time isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as a behavior analyst, I’ve seen what happens when it takes over.

When screen time replaces face-to-face interaction, children miss key opportunities to develop critical social skills. And for many families, the signs show up before they even realize what’s happening.

This blog is for the parents, the educators, and even the behavior analysts who want to understand the connection between screen time and social skills and what we can do to support healthier development.

What Do BCBAs Look For in Child Behavior?

As a BCBA, I look at behavior through the lens of the environment. That includes what children are exposed to, how they respond, and what they’re missing. One common factor that comes up often is too much screen time.

I’ve worked with children who avoid eye contact, struggle with turn-taking, or don’t know how to respond to peers during play. More often than not, these are kids who are spending hours each day glued to a screen. Not surprisingly, they’re not practicing the social skills that help them succeed in the classroom, at home, or in the community.

What Counts as Screen Time?

Screen time is more than just TV. It includes tablets, phones, video games, online learning, and even background media. A recent study showed that most kids spend more than 7 hours a day on screens. That’s time not spent engaging with people and that matters.

When screens are a child’s main source of stimulation, it limits their chances to learn how to communicate, connect, and navigate social environments.

Why Social Skills Are Non-Negotiable

Social skills aren’t just about being polite. They’re about reading social cues, understanding emotions, using language to express needs, and responding to others in real time. These are skills that directly impact friendships, classroom behavior, and long-term emotional development.

Children who lack social skills often struggle in group settings, avoid peer interactions, or experience anxiety during conversations. Over time, these challenges can lead to isolation and frustration.

What Happens When Screen Time Replaces Social Interaction?

Here’s what I’ve seen in the field and what research continues to support

1. Less Time Interacting Face-to-Face- Kids who spend a lot of time on screens often miss out on daily social interactions. They don’t get as much practice reading facial expressions, listening for tone, or using body language, all foundational to strong social development.

2. Weaker Emotional Awareness- When children spend less time around people, they can struggle to recognize emotions. I’ve worked with kids who miss signs of frustration or sadness in their peers because they haven’t had enough experience responding to real-life emotions.

3. More Social Anxiety- Children who rely heavily on digital communication can feel overwhelmed in face-to-face situations. They’re not used to managing eye contact, pauses in conversation, or unexpected questions. That anxiety can lead them to avoid social situations altogether.

4. Trouble with Verbal Communication- Screen time often reinforces passive interaction, like swiping or tapping. It doesn’t help with building strong verbal communication. Some kids become so used to interacting through a screen, they struggle to hold a basic conversation.

How to Spot the Signs of Social Skill Gaps

As a BCBA, these are some of the early signs I look for

• Avoiding conversations or group play

• Preferring texting or screens over in-person talk

• Struggling to understand tone of voice or body language

• Becoming easily frustrated during social interaction

If you’re noticing these signs, it doesn’t mean you’ve failed as a parent or educator. But it might be time to make some adjustments.

What You Can Do to Support Healthy Social Development

Supporting social skills doesn’t require a full lifestyle overhaul. Small changes in daily routines can go a long way. Here’s where I usually recommend starting:

• Set Clear Screen Time Limits- Reducing screen time opens up space for real connection. Start with a goal, maybe no screens after dinner or a daily max of two hours.

  
  

• Encourage Interactive Play- Get kids involved in play that requires back-and-forth interaction. Board games, pretend play, or even helping with cooking can build social skills.

  
  

• Designate Screen-Free Zones- Set boundaries, like no screens at the dinner table or during car rides. These moments are opportunities for natural conversation and connection.

  
  

• Model Social Interaction- Show kids what it looks like to make eye contact, listen actively, and respond with empathy. Kids learn by watching, even when it doesn’t seem like it.

  
  

• Set Up Peer Interaction Opportunities- Playdates, group activities, and family gatherings all help kids practice and grow their social skills in natural ways.

  
  

The Role of the Family and School Environment

This work isn’t just for therapists, it’s for everyone. Parents are the first teachers, and schools play a key role too. BCBAs can partner with both to create plans that balance screen use with meaningful social learning.

Whether it’s through classroom-based group projects or simple routines at home, collaboration is key. And the earlier we start, the better the outcome.

Final Thoughts: A Balanced Approach to Screen Time and Social Skills

Screen time isn’t going away. But it’s our job to make sure it doesn’t come at the cost of essential developmental milestones. When children lose opportunities to connect in real life, their social skills can suffer and that can impact them for years to come.

As BCBAs, educators, and families, we have the tools to shift that. With clear expectations, strong models, and consistent support, we can help children grow into confident, socially competent individuals even in a digital world.

Marquii Jacobs, BCBA

The ABA Guru

References

1. American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). (2016). Media and Young Minds. Pediatrics, 138(5), e20162591. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2016-2591

2. Uhls, Y. T., Ellison, B., Subrahmanyam, K., & Greenfield, P. M. (2017). Five days at outdoor education camp without screens improves preteen skills with nonverbal emotion cues. Computers in Human Behavior, 39, 387–392. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2014.05.036

3. Twenge, J. M., & Campbell, W. K. (2018). Associations between screen time and lower psychological well-being among children and adolescents: Evidence from a population-based study. Preventive Medicine Reports, 12, 271–283. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmedr.2018.10.003

4. Radesky, J. S., Schumacher, J., & Zuckerman, B. (2015). Mobile and Interactive Media Use by Young Children: The Good, the Bad, and the Unknown. Pediatrics, 135(1), 1–3. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2014-2251

5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2022). Screen Time vs. Lean Time – Tips to Get Kids Moving. https://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao/multimedia/infographics/getmoving.html

6. Rideout, V., Robb, M. B. (2020). The Common Sense Census: Media Use by Kids Age Zero to Eight, 2020.Common Sense Media. https://www.commonsensemedia.org

7. Domoff, S. E., Borgen, A. L., Radesky, J. S., et al. (2019). Excessive use of mobile devices and children’s emotional and behavioral difficulties. Psychology of Popular Media Culture, 8(4), 473–481. https://doi.org/10.1037/ppm0000189