SINGAPORE - Screens are everywhere – from YouTube videos that keep toddlers occupied and educational apps, to social media and games on teens’ phones.

Many parents remain unsure: Is screen use all harmful,

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To find the answers, The Straits Times spoke to two paediatric experts, Adjunct Associate Professor Chong Shang Chee from the National University Hospital (NUH), and Dr Christelle Tan from KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH).

Q: What are common misconceptions parents have about screen time?

A: Many parents think that the duration of screen time matters most, but it is not that simple, said Prof Chong, head and senior consultant at NUH’s Division of Developmental and Behavioural Paediatrics.

“If a child spends two hours collaborating on a school project online, that is very different from two hours of solitary, aggressive gaming,” she said, noting that the quality of screen time also matters.

While setting limits is important, especially for younger children, both doctors stressed that what screen use displaces is equally crucial.