Minding the Gap: Research on Digital Media Exposure in Early Childhood

1. Minding the Gap: Research on Digital Media Exposure in Early Childhood James A. Griffin, PhD Digital Media and Developing Minds Conference October 15, 2018

2. National Institutes of Health World’s largest supporter of biomedical, behavioral, and social science research and training. $39.2 Billion budget (FY2019) 27 Institutes and Centers

3. NICHD Mission Statement • Ensure that: • Every person is born healthy and wanted • Women suffer no harmful effects from reproductive processes • All children have the chance to achieve their full potential for healthy and productive lives, free from disease or disability • Ensure the health, productivity, independence, and well-being of all people through optimal rehabilitation

4. NICHD Strategic Planning Process • Strategic Planning process underway under the leadership of Dr. Diana Bianchi, Director of NICHDhttps://www.nichd.nih.gov/about/org/strategicplan • “This strategic planning process will enable internal and external stakeholders to look at NICHD's portfolio with a fresh perspective and to review and refocus its science to encourage new partnerships and collaborations to improve the health of the populations we serve.” • Attend the NICHD Strategic Planning Webinar on October 31, 2018 (pre-registration required). • Email your questions/ideas to: NICHDStrategicPlan@nih.gov

5. Child Development and Behavior Branch • Cognitive Development, Behavioral Neuroscience, & Psychobiology (Lisa Freund, Chief) • Early Learning & School Readiness (James Griffin, Deputy) • Language, Bilingualism & Biliteracy (Ruben Alvarez) • Reading, Writing, & Related Learning Disabilities (Brett Miller) • Math & Science Cognition, Reasoning & Related Learning Disorders (Kathy Mann Koepke) • Behavioral Pediatrics & Health Promotion (Karen Lee) • Social & Emotional Development/Child & Family Processes and Human-Animal Interaction (Layla Esposito)

6. The Brain is Still a Mystery…

7. Advances in Imaging are Helping to Unlock Those Mysteries…

8. Brain Growth • At birth, most neurons the brain will have are present • approx. 100 billion neurons • By age 2 years, brain is 80% of adult size • What keeps growing? • Other brain cells (glia) • New neuron connections • approx. 1000 trillion connections by age 3 yrs.

9. Experience Can Change the Actual Structure of the Brain • Brain development is “activity-dependent” - every experience excites some neural circuits and leaves others alone • Neural circuits used over and over strengthen, those that are not used are dropped resulting in “pruning” • Importance of “plasticity” – we continue to learn throughout our lives, and the brain is able to make new connections after trauma

10. Social Basis of Early Brain Development • Early Experiences create brain neuron connections • Parent-child interactions are key • Progression from secure attachment to self-regulation.

11. How Do Nurturing Parents and Caretakers Do This? • In Infancy, parent often will act out what infant cannot yet do… • Physical actions • Verbal communication • Directing attention

12. ENTER NEW ELECTRONIC MEDIA…

13. What are Three Things an Infant/Toddler Can’t Resist? • Mom • Car Keys • Cell Phones with Touch Screens

14. NICHD Workshop Media Exposure and Early Child Development • Held January 25-26, 2018, sponsored in part by Children and Screens • Workshop attended by over 50 outside scientists, federal staff and scientific organization representatives • Examined the state of research knowledge on how exposure to an array of digital media impact the developmental trajectories of young children

15. NICHD Workshop Media Exposure and Early Child Development • Sincere thanks to the sponsors and participants • Many of the following points regarding research gaps and promising directions are derived from points made at the Workshop • The Workshop Executive Summary is available for download at: https://www.nichd.nih.gov/sites/default/files/2018-06/Media_Exp_Early_Child_Dev_Work.pdf

16. Research Gaps: Neuroscience Relationship between Brain Development and Electronic Media Exposure: • Studies using EEG and MRI in 2nd year non –existent • Figure out how to do fMRI; parents talking to children • New imaging methods (MEG), methodologies and innovations evolving rapidly to include infants and toddlers

17. Research Gaps: Learning Relationship between Electronic Media Exposure and Learning: • What can infants/toddlers learn from touchscreen interactions? Preschoolers? • How does learning from media affect representation in the world? Does the pathway the information is received from matter? • How do passive interactions with media differ from active ones when it comes to learning?

18. Research Gaps: Social-Emotional Development Relationship between Electronic Media Exposure and Social Interactions: • How are early parent-child, family, peer and community relationships shaped by media exposure? • How are virtual and in-person interactions integrated into sense of self and social skill development?

19. Research Gaps: Integration of Research Knowledge Integrating findings from lab-based, observational and survey studies: • What gaps in our knowledge must be addressed by basic research studies? • What gaps in our knowledge must be addressed by basic and translational research studies in naturalistic settings? • How can cross-sectional and longitudinal studies inform media effects on developmental trajectories?

20. Directions for Future Research: Leveraging Existing Resources Primary and secondary data analysis of new and ongoing longitudinal studies: • Baby Connectome (neuroscience) • Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development (ABCD) and planned BabyBCD Studies • Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) (& archived NCS Data) • Databrary, Family Life Project, SECCYD, etc.

21. Directions for Future Research: Measurement Capitalize on advances in measurement: • Use of imaging and other non-invasive technologies to link brain activity with behavior • Use real-time embedded measures of media use – beyond parent report • Real world monitoring of media use by parents/caregivers, including available tools • Using technology to enable more inclusive research samples: SES, race/ethnicity, language minority, parents and children with disabilities

22. Directions for Future Research: The Whole Child Need to integrate knowledge across multiple developmental domains over time: • Media exposure impact on the early developmental trajectories of attachment and emotion regulation, executive function skill development, language acquisition, physical health and wellbeing, weight management, etc. • Continuities and discontinuities in media exposure and emerging exploration, play behaviors and creativity • Emergence of school readiness skills and ability to function in same age peer groups

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26. Contact info James Griffin James.Griffin@nih.gov