Behind the Lens: The Drawbacks of Media Exposure to Young Children's Social Development

Abstract Media exposure to young children is concerning in today’s digital age. Although children can learn from media, excessive exposure can have alarming consequences. This systematic literature review aimed to determine the drawbacks of media exposure to young children's social development. The review attained four thematic points: Having Poor Sleeping Habits, Dealing with Aggressive Behaviors and Social Isolation, Interfering with Social Skills Development and Emotional Regulation, and Distorting Reality Perception and Weakening Attention Span through Media Sensationalism. Early media exposure to young children is one of the main reasons why there are negative impacts on children’s overall well-being. To address these issues, educators, parents, and guardians should promote proper handling and monitoring of children’s media access so that families can identify their child’s behavior and how to mitigate this pressing issue. The media may affect the children in the long run as it can also affect their academic performance. Hence, it is not a platform for children; they should not be exposed to any media platforms at an early age.