The signs your child might have a screen addiction, revealed

"There is more to it than number of hours'

In this age of technology, it is not unusual to see toddlers playing with tablets that are almost the same size as they are.

And although the “start them young” mentality has been criticised by paediatric experts and adolescent researchers, the hundreds of apps available for download for children under five in the Apple app store proves many parents - and app developers - are paying no mind to warnings.

A quick and easy source of entertainment, with some even capable of teaching motor skills and hand-eye coordination, it is understandable why parents have become accepting, or even reliant, on apps for children.

But this childhood exposure to screens, including video games, televisions, computers, and tablets, may be responsible for a new addiction trend on the rise - addiction to screens.

There are now hundreds of apps for babies

While parents have considered this possibility in the past by asking, “how much screen time is too much?” - it turns out they were asking the wrong question.

According to new research published in the journal Psychology of Popular Media Culture, “how children use the devices, not how much time they spend on them, is the strongest predictor of emotional or social problems connected with screen addiction.”

Tantrums when a tablet is removed can be cause for concern

Apparently, it doesn’t actually matter if your child spends one hour or five spent staring at a screen - although we wouldn't actually recommend five.

The new study demonstrated “that there is more to it than number of hours. What matters most is whether screen use causes problems in other areas of life or has become an all-consuming activity.”

So how exactly can you tell if your child is addicted to screens? Look for any of these warning signs - “If screen time interferes with daily activities, causes conflict for the child or in the family, or is the only activity that brings the child joy.”

If your child is only happy when they are looking at a screen it may be time to intervene

If your child is displaying any of these signs, it may be time to step in, as screen addiction is linked to problems with relationships, conduct, and emotion.

But the good news is, as long as your child isn't showing any of these signs of screen addiction, it is most likely completely fine to keep them entertained with games on your iPad for hours.