As screens compete for families' attention, children's development is paying the price, top federal health officials warn.Early and excessive screen time can trigger severe neurocognitive delays in young children, impacting attention spans, memory and language skills, according to Dr.Stephanie Haridopolos, interim surgeon general and principal deputy assistant secretary of health."Parents are now fighting for attention from the screens," Haridopolos told Fox News Digital.DOCTORS SAY 8 FORGOTTEN HABITS COULD HELP FIGHT STRESS, OBESITY AND CHRONIC DISEASETo help parents combat screen addiction, the U.S.
Surgeon General's Office has released a targeted framework known as "the 5 Ds."Don't wait for a conflict to establish boundaries, experts recommend.Sit down as a family to outline clear, age-appropriate rules regarding when, where and how long screens can be used throughout the day.Setting explicit expectations ahead of time cuts down on daily arguments, experts say.High screen exposure in young children threatens early brain tissue development, leading to delays in attention, memory and speech, experts say.
(iStock)Parents should model healthy screen habits themselves, Haridopolos said. "If we're constantly on our screens, then perhaps our children will be, too," she said, encouraging adults to "be good role models and lead by example."CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIESRather than defaulting to giving children a tablet when they're bored, Haridopolos recommended steering them toward hands-on activities, such as doing arts and crafts or preparing a healthy meal together.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTERBreaks like summer and the holidays are critical windows for families to reset digital boundaries, the interim surgeon general suggested.Scrolling while eating can lead to higher caloric intake and increased consumption of ultraprocessed foods, the interim surgeon general warned.(iStock)Haridopolos encouraged families to build regular screen-free period...