Screen Time Exposure and Child Development: Examining the Link to Mental, Emotional, Developmental, and Behavioral Disorders in Children

Presenters and Authors

Jessica Guerrette, Georgia Southern UniversityFollow
Alisha Danielle Riggins, Georgia Southern UniversityFollow
Tara Hassani Goodarzi, Georgia Southern UniversityFollow
Janae Taylor, Georgia Southern UniversityFollow
Nazish Masud, Georgia Southern UniversityFollow
Joanne Chopak-Foss, Georgia Southern UniversityFollow
Logan Cowan, Georgia Southern UniversityFollow

Abstract

Introduction:

Concerns regarding the impact of screen time on child development have grown as digital devices become more integrated into daily life. Recent studies suggest that excessive screen use during critical periods of brain development may contribute to a range of cognitive, emotional, and behavioral issues, including attention deficit, sleep disturbances, and emotional dysregulation.

Objective: This study explores the potential relationship between screen time and the prevalence of mental, emotional, developmental, or behavioral (MEDB) disorders in children aged 3–17.

Methods: Data were drawn from the 2021-2022 National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH), a nationally representative survey that provides comprehensive information on children’s health and well-being in the United States. The study assessed the impact of screen time on mental, emotional, developmental, and behavioral (MEDB) disorders in children aged 3-17 while adjusting for potential confounders including age, sex, and race/ethnicity.

Results: Children exposed to ≥4 hours of screen time on weekdays had 2.30 (2.15, 2.47) times higher odds of being diagnosed with a MEDB disorder compared to those exposed to <1 hour of screen time per day. Likewise, children with 3 hours and 2 hours of screen time had 1.58 (1.47, 1.70) and 1.24 (1.15, 1.32) times higher odds of MEDB diagnosis compared to those with less than one hour of screen time, respectively.

Discussion: This study found a significant association between increased screen time and a higher prevalence of mental, emotional, developmental, or behavioral disorders in children. Thus, public health education programs must prioritize advocating for balanced media use and educating parents and educators about the harmful effects of excessive screen time. These initiatives should promote healthy screen habits and integrate screen time guidelines into community programs, particularly during critical developmental periods.

Keywords: screen time, child development, mental health

Keywords

screen time, child development, mental health

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