There’s a general consensus that too much screen time is bad for kids. But what happens when everything in modern society is done on screens? What is a concerned educator or parent to do? And how do we even define screen time when our digital and real lives are becoming increasingly blurred at younger and younger ages?

Beyond headlines and courtrooms, many families are seeking an answer to a more immediate question: How do we know when social media use is affecting a teenager’s mental health?

Young children who spend more time on screen-based activities and less time talking with adults tend to have weaker language skills, according to a recent study from the University of Tartu. The findings highlight that daily interaction—rather than screen limits alone—plays a key role in early language development.

Chelsea Hylton is a web producer for CBS Los Angeles. An Inglewood native, Hylton has her master's degree from USC. She covers local breaking news across the Southern California region. Before joining CBS in 2024, she worked at NBC LA, Telemundo 52, The ...