A major scientific review of 2.8 million children across 64 countries has found that longer periods spent using digital devices are linked to poorer school grades and worse language development.
The review, led by academics at the University of Calgary in Canada, examined the link between gaming, social media use and internet streaming, and key development benchmarks. Higher screen use was also associated with emotional problems and issues with friendship groups.
Mental health and behavioural findings
Emotional problems included a greater likelihood of reporting "internalising behaviour" – which includes symptoms of depression and anxiety – and externalising behaviour, including aggression and ADHD symptoms. Excessive mobile phone use was linked to more symptoms of depression.
The review concluded: "This umbrella review provides quantitative evidence indicating that longer durations of digital and social media exposure were associated with some aspects of development and mental health, including lower academic achievement and language development and higher socio-emotional and mental health problems."
Potential modifiable factor
The findings suggest that screen use may represent one potentially modifiable factor associated with children's well-being. Scientists are still trying to work out whether screen time causes these developmental problems, or whether children who were already struggling are more likely to spend longer on their screens.
The review, published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics, said the link with screen time and poorer outcomes was "similar in magnitude to or larger" than other major factors linked to child development, such as poverty and how children were brought up by their parents.
Expert commentary and gaming habits
Tatiana Íñiguez Berrozpe, senior lecturer at University of Zaragoza in Spain, said: "The association between screen use and psychological distress in children is stronger with mobile phones than with television or video games, and stronger with depressive symptoms than with social anxiety.
"The most significant factor in the association between children and screen time is the time spent scrolling. That is to say, the problem is not screen use in itself, but rather what I stop doing when I am engrossed in it, such as sleeping, taking part in physical activity, or socialising with family and friends."
Previous research has indicated that different types of screen use can be either harmful or beneficial. Educational activities can have cognitive benefits while connecting users online can boost people socially. However, excessive time spent in front of a screen can lead children to do less face-to-face socialising and come at the expense of beneficial outdoor play activities.
A YouGov poll has found that most gaming now takes place on smartphones and regular gamers feel guilty about not doing something more "productive" with their time. The survey of 1,000 Brits found 66% of UK gamers regularly play on a smartphone, with 47% playing exclusively on smartphones or tablets.
The poll commissioned by the platform MyVoucherCodes found 73% of players experience guilt, anxiety, or the feeling that they should be doing something more productive. One in five said they worry others may judge them for identifying as a gamer.
