Does screen time during diaper changes cause attention problems?
Trying to change a messy diaper without getting poop everywhere is nearly impossible when a toddler is kicking and screaming. Short videos instantly calm the child, but parents are left feeling deeply guilty. They worry this occasional screen time will cause long-term attention span problems as their child grows.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1Singing, counting, and explaining steps
- 2Distracting with toys
- 3Tickling
- 4Saying all done immediately after the difficult task and putting the phone away
- 5Watching what they are watching and talking about it afterwards
- 6Making screen time a deliberate activity rather than having it on during meals
- 7Engaging children in conversation during long car rides instead of using screens
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“it’s the literal only way i can change a poopy nappy without him rolling over, kicking, screaming the whole time, and untimately getting poo EVERYWHERE”source ↗
“i pop on the dory reef cam and he’s an instant flop, and is fixed on the screen... but i just feel so guilty.”source ↗
“What I am looking for is parents of older children who may have let them watch the occasional educational children's show if it calmed them down or while playing/eating.”source ↗
“Was there any affect to your child that you're aware of? Do they have any attention span problems or anything else that u would attribute to this kind of "screen time."”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 11Why do I feel guilty on slow work days?
- 13Why do I feel so guilty for taking a sick day?
- 10How to stop feeling guilty about spending savings on yourself
- 8Can I refuse to use my personal phone for work?
- 4Traveling with someone who is always on their phone
- 4Why do I feel so guilty taking time for myself?