Heavy screen time linked to stunted child development, study warns

A scientific review involving more than 2.8 million children and adolescents across 64 countries has found that heavy screen use is linked to declines in child development indicators, to a degree similar to or greater than social and economic factors such as poverty and family financial status.

Researchers explained that the strength of the association between high screen exposure and developmental setbacks was comparable to, or exceeded, links with factors like social status, parental behavior, and premature birth.

However, the study did not directly compare a child living in poverty with one spending long hours on screens, nor did it prove that screens are more harmful than poverty. Instead, it focused solely on the strength of the association.

The researchers noted that it cannot be confirmed that screen use is the direct cause of these problems. Children with emotional or behavioral difficulties may be more likely to use devices for longer periods, and economic circumstances may also influence digital habits and well-being.

The review did not find clear negative associations in all areas of development. Researchers found no direct link between screen use and students’ scores in mathematics, reading, or science, although there was a general decline in academic achievement.

In a related context, a research review published last year in the journal Psychological Bulletin, which included more than 292,000 children, found that increased screen use often preceded the emergence of some emotional and behavioral problems, while children already experiencing difficulties tended to spend more time on screens later on.

The findings suggest that screen use is linked to several aspects of child development, highlighting the need to consider family, social, and economic circumstances to fully understand this association during childhood.