Webinar: Screens, Babies, and Growing Minds
Humans are born with nearly 100 billion neurons — essentially all the nerve cells we will have for life — but they’re not all connected. Our earliest experiences in infancy and early childhood determine how these connections are formed, building the networks that make up our brain architecture.
What if a lot of these early experiences involve staring at digital screens? Not good, say researchers.
On March 9, 2026, LA Best Babies Network hosted a webinar with clinical psychologist Nina Newman to discuss research and recommendations on this issue. Staff from our network’s home visiting organizations and Welcome Baby hospitals learned about the importance of monitoring and limiting screen time — for both babies and their parents and caregivers. Scroll down to watch the recording, and see links to related resources at the bottom.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends setting limits on screen time, but also prioritizes quality, context, and conversation over strict time limits.
AAP Screen Time Guidelines by Age
- Under 18 months: Avoid screens, or limit to video chatting
- 18–24 months: High-quality, educational programming with parents
- 2–5 years: Limit to 1 hour/day of high-quality, educational content
- 6+ years: Establish consistent limits on time and types of media, ensuring it does not interfere with sleep, exercise, or schoolwork
AAP’s Key Recommendations for Families
Develop a customized media plan for the household based on:
- The “5 C’s” approach: Child-focused, Content, Context, Co-viewing, and Crowding Out (e.g., is media replacing sleep/play?)
- No Screens in Bedrooms: Keep devices out of children’s bedrooms, especially at night
- Device-Free Meals: Designate mealtimes as screen-free to boost family connection
- Co-viewing: Watch, play, and discuss media with children to make it an active rather than passive experience
- Balance: Actively “crowd out” screen time with, or balance it against, exercise, outdoor activity, and in-person socialization
Watch the webinar recording here, and don’t miss the links to related resources below:
About the presenter:
Nina Newman, PhD, is a licensed psychologist with advanced training in clinical psychology, neuropsychology, and reflective practice. She provides consultation and training for parents, caregivers, and professionals, alongside psychotherapy for adults, all with a focus on relational health across the lifespan.
Learn about Dr. Newman’s practice at NinaNewmanPhD.com and see her bio here.
Related resources:
- Presentation slides for this webinar
- Screen Time Guidelines (American Academy of Pediatrics)
- Family Media Plan (also in Spanish) (American Academy of Pediatrics)
- Center of Excellence on Social Media and Youth Mental Health