How Screen Time Impacts Social Skills: A BCBA’s Perspective on Child Development in the Digital Age
Updated: Jan 3
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. While some screen time isn’t necessarily a bad thing, 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. For many families, the signs show up before they even realize what’s happening. This blog is for parents, educators, and 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. This 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 spend 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 skills 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 that 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. The earlier we start, the better the outcome.
Strategies for Effective Communication
Effective communication is essential for social skills development. Here are some strategies to enhance communication:
Use Open-Ended Questions: Encourage children to express themselves by asking questions that require more than a yes or no answer. For example, instead of asking, "Did you have fun at school?" try "What was the best part of your day at school?"
Practice Active Listening: Show children how to listen by giving them your full attention when they speak. Nod, make eye contact, and respond appropriately to show you value their thoughts.
Role-Playing Scenarios: Create role-playing situations where children can practice social interactions. This can help them feel more comfortable in real-life situations.
The Impact of Cultural Responsiveness
Cultural responsiveness is key in helping children navigate social interactions. Understanding diverse backgrounds can enhance empathy and connection. Here are some ways to promote cultural awareness:
Diverse Storytelling: Share stories from various cultures to help children appreciate different perspectives. This can foster understanding and respect for others.
Celebrate Differences: Encourage children to celebrate their own and others' cultural backgrounds. This can be through food, festivals, or learning about traditions.
Engage with the Community: Involve children in community events that highlight cultural diversity. This exposure can enhance their social skills and broaden their worldview.
Final Thoughts: A Balanced Approach to Screen Time and Social Skills
Screen time isn’t going away. But it’s our job to ensure 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, impacting 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
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). (2016). Media and Young Minds. Pediatrics, 138(5), e20162591. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2016-2591
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
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
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
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
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
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
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