In an interview with NewYork-Presbytarian Hospital, pediatrician Dr. Jennifer F. Cross advised parents to avoid giving toddlers screens because it distracts them from observing the world around them—which is critical for their development. Dr. Cross calls this “tunnel vision,” referring to the fact that kids often end up glued to the screen and unaware of what’s going on around them. Whether they’re out for a walk in the stroller, eating at a restaurant, attending a sports game, or just visiting with family, kids need to watch how people interact, hear new sounds, and get new visual input to make new connections in their brains. Screen-based media doesn’t generate the same kind of sensory experiences, nor does it give immediate neural feedback when children make sounds or gestures.