Excessive screen exposure is one of the leading causes of developmental delays among young children, according to a recent government-agency report.
The National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) on Feb 23 released its Thai Social Conditions Report for the fourth quarter of 2025, in which it raised alarm over child development in the digital era.
The agency’s findings show that only 81.6% of Thai children met age-appropriate developmental milestones this year, missing the national target of 85%. The shortfall is most evident among Generation Alpha and Generation Beta — cohorts raised in an environment filled with smartphones, tablets and online media.
Language development recorded the most pronounced delays, particularly in speech and comprehension.
Some children exhibit behaviours resembling "pseudo-autism", including limited eye contact and reduced social responsiveness. The report cites international studies linking such traits to prolonged digital media exposure beginning in infancy, suggesting that early and excessive screen use may interfere with critical stages of brain and social development.
The NESDC identified two primary drivers. First, screen time that exceeds age-appropriate limits. The second is a shift in household structures, with many children now raised in multigenerational families where elderly caregivers rely on digital devices to occupy children.
Compounding the issue, government-issued child development manuals are often viewed as overly technical, limiting their practical use among caregivers.
To address the problem, the report points to overseas models. Singapore has implemented clear, age-based screen time guidelines. Japan mandates default content filters and parental controls on devices and internet services. The United Kingdom enforces online safety regulations while providing digital learning resources for parents of young children.
Without swift intervention, officials warned, current screen-time problems could carry long-term social and economic consequences for Thailand.
