I’m a neuropsychologist — this is the age it’s OK to let kids watch TV

He’s not kidding.

A leading neuropsychologist says children younger than 6 should have little to no screen time.

In his new book “Understanding Your Child’s Brain,” Dr. Álvaro Bilbao highlights how the risk of psychological and behavioral issues — such as attention deficit disorder, depression and addiction problems — increases the more time young children spend in front of mobile phone screens, tablets or computers.

“Rather than moving toward a greater attention span and greater control of the child’s own mind, in my opinion it provokes a delay,” Bilbao, a father of three, said in a statement.

“It would be like giving an 800 cc motorbike to a child who has just learnt to walk.”

Bilbao noted he has no apps on his mobile phone or tablet for his children, going so far as to leave his book’s final chapter — on the best apps for young children — blank.

“Occasionally my children use the mobile phone to look through photos of our holiday …and we do it together,” Bilbao revealed.

“Sometimes we look at a song with them and learn the dance moves, but they don’t play games. We also limit their time in front of the television.” 

He said his research found that Microsoft scion Bill Gates and the late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs restricted their own children’s screen time.

His parenting book, which published Thursday, features four main sections: How to understand child brain development; how to support this growth; how to teach emotional intelligence; and how to strengthen the intellectual brain.  

Bilbao equates child brain development to a growing oak tree.

Children need physical security; a safe environment; and brain “watering” — trust and freedom from their parents, Bilbao argues.

“A genetically modified tomato, which ripens in a few days … loses the essence of its flavor,” he said. “A brain that develops under pressure … can lose part of its essence along the way.”

He has found that letting children get bored encourages creativity; shouting at a child disables their brain’s cerebral cortex, which helps manages their limits; and using material rewards to reinforce rules is not beneficial.

He also advocates against “natural” education without rules; prescribing drugs to children prone to distraction; and unproven “miracle programs” that promise to turn children into geniuses.

The appropriate amount of screen time for children has been a hot-button topic in recent years.

The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry notes US children 8 to 12 years old spend an average of four to six hours a day watching or using screens, with teens spending up to nine hours.

The organization recommends establishing a screen time plan for children.

Kids younger than 18 months should barely have any screen time, except to video chat with an out-of-town relative.

Children between 18 and 24 months should only be watching “educational programming,” with a parent or caregiver.

The organization also suggests that kids 2 to 5 should have no more than an hour per weekday of non-educational screen time and less than three hours total on weekends.

“Healthy habits” related to screen time should be encouraged for kids 6 and up.

The group also advises turning off screens 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime.

The organization argues that too much screen time can lead to sleep problems, low school grades, less reading, less time with family and friends, not enough physical activity, weight problems and mood issues, among other troubles.

In December, a study published by JAMA Pediatrics found parents who often use smartphones or TV to soothe their children could actually be harming them, as it hinders their ability to learn to regulate their own emotions.