Guidelines recommend 'no' digital exposure for toddlers

China's top health authority has urged that children under age 3 should not be exposed to any digital screens, as part of efforts to enhance early childhood development.

The National Health Commission released the recommendation on Saturday in a new guideline aimed at strengthening early childhood development services and fostering a birth-friendly society.

The guideline warns that digital devices, including televisions, computers, smartphones, tablets and game consoles, can reduce communication and interaction time with caregivers, hindering brain development, motor skills, language acquisition, cognition and social interaction of toddlers.