Palabras clave
Función ejecutiva
Tiempo de pantalla
Desarrollo Infantil
Desarrollo del Lenguaje
Cómo citar
Resumen
El uso de pantallas en la infancia ha generado una creciente preocupación debido a su impacto en el desarrollo cognitivo. Este boletín revisa estudios que muestran que la exposición excesiva a dispositivos electrónicos —especialmente en niños menores de seis años— se asocia con dificultades en la atención, la memoria, el lenguaje y las funciones ejecutivas. El contenido pasivo, como la televisión de fondo, resulta más perjudicial que los medios educativos o interactivos, y la supervisión adulta puede ayudar a mitigar estos efectos. Factores como el entorno familiar, el nivel socioeconómico y las características individuales del niño influyen en el grado de impacto. Los niños de áreas urbanas, los varones y aquellos con interacción social limitada son más vulnerables. No obstante, un uso moderado y estructurado de las pantallas, con contenidos adecuados y la participación de los padres, puede favorecer las habilidades cognitivas y lingüísticas. Estudios neurobiológicos sugieren que la exposición prolongada afecta la conectividad cerebral, aunque estos efectos tienden a ser sutiles y acumulativos. Las recomendaciones incluyen limitar el tiempo de pantalla a menos de una hora diaria en niños en edad preescolar, priorizar el contenido educativo y fomentar actividades fuera de línea como el juego colaborativo o la lectura. En conclusión, el uso excesivo y sin supervisión de pantallas se asocia con peores resultados cognitivos, mientras que un uso regulado y contextualizado puede apoyar un aprendizaje y desarrollo saludables.
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