The impact of screen time on child and adolescent development: a review

Abstract

This review article aims to analyze the impact of screen time on child development and to evaluate the existing evidence on this topic. A literature search was conducted across major databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, using keywords such as ‘screen time’, ‘child development’, ‘digital media’, and ‘video games’. The search was limited to studies published in the last decade and written in the English language. Included studies were evaluated for quality and relevance, and findings were compiled to provide an overview of the current state of research on this topic. A total of 27 studies met the inclusion criteria. The studies examined the impact of screen time on various aspects of child development, including cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. Results showed that excessive screen time was associated with negative outcomes in all of these areas. Specifically, prolonged screen time was found to negatively impact attention, language, memory, and motor skills development. Moreover, excessive screen time was linked to increased risk of obesity, reduced physical activity, and sleep disturbances, as well as social and emotional problems. The findings suggest that excessive screen time can have detrimental effects on child development. Although some studies report positive impacts of screen time, particularly in educational contexts, the vast majority suggest that a limited and monitored exposure to screens is needed to avoid negative outcomes. Further research is needed to determine the optimal amount and type of screen time that is beneficial for child development. Healthcare providers and parents should be aware of the potential risks of excessive screen time and implement strategies to minimize this exposure.