Childhood unplugged
The Norland Foundation supports important research on the impact of screen time on preschoolers.
Between tablets, phones and TV, most of us now spend hours gazing into one digital screen or another. There are questions over how much screen time can be healthy or harmful, but for preschoolers, whose brains are at a critical stage in development, it’s moved from a parental concern to a vital research topic. Is there a cost on cognitive growth, social skills and emotional wellbeing, or does screen time have surprising benefits? That’s what PhD scholar Abigail Bradley is investigating, thanks to support from The Norland Foundation.
The renowned early childhood higher education centre, Norland, has generously donated more than £105,000, spread over four years, to fund Abigail’s PhD within the Department of Psychology’s Babylab. The lab provides facilities to study what goes on in the minds of little ones. Using specialist eye-tracking software and two-way mirrors, our researchers explore how young children see and interact with the world around them and the factors that influence their development.
“I’ve always wanted to go into research but never thought it would be possible due to finances,” says Abigail, who gained a master’s from Bath in applied clinical psychology before applying for her dream PhD scholarship.
She continues: “I feel so privileged to receive this opportunity and dive into a topic I’m so passionate about. So much development happens in those preschool years that shapes who you become as an adult. I want to help people and have an impact, and this research is a brilliant opportunity to do that.”
Abigail will focus on how screen time affects neurodivergent preschool children specifically, as PhD supervisor Dr Michelle St Clair explains: “Neurodivergent children may be more drawn to screens because of the pace or predictability of stimulation – it may even be beneficial. It’s key that we understand the impacts so parents, educators and health professionals can make informed decisions as they navigate the digital landscape.”
This scholarship is part of Bath’s Research with Impact PhD programme, made possible by philanthropic donations to support students over four years with a UKRI-pegged stipend and some study costs, while the University funds the fees.
Principal of Norland, Dr Janet Rose, says: “Part of the Foundation’s mission is to promote the advancement of education in the early years, including supporting children with additional needs. This important and topical research will undoubtedly contribute to our growing understanding of the impact of digital technology and its special focus on neurodivergent children is of particular significance.”
Both the University and Norland have done much in the way of recognition and research in support of neurodivergent communities. The Foundation funded the development of the Transforming Autism Project and a local ‘stay and play’ provision for children with special needs.
Meanwhile Bath’s Centre for Applied Autism Research (CAAR) is advancing knowledge of the strengths and challenges experienced by autistic people, as well as delivering events such as the Bath Employment Support School for Autism, in partnership with JP Morgan, to ease the transition from university to work. Autistic university students from CAAR also organise the University Transition Autism School to support school leavers.
Our Head of the Department of Psychology, Professor Mark Brosnan, adds: “We are very grateful for Norland’s generous support. PhD students are essential to driving research forward that will benefit current and future generations, as they, in turn, become the future innovators and educators the world needs. It’s a cycle of opportunity and societal impact.”
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