Research Links Early Childhood Screen Time to Poorer Academic Performance and Memory
A new study conducted by researchers from the French National Institute for Health and Medical Research (Inserm) and the National University of Singapore has found a significant association between excessive screen time in early childhood and lower academic performance and poorer working memory in later years. The study analyzed data from 502 children, tracking their screen time at six different ages from early to mid-childhood and comparing it to their academic and memory abilities at ages 9 and 10.5, respectively. The most pronounced link was observed in 1-year-old children, suggesting this period is particularly sensitive due to rapid brain development. While no significant association was found for screen time at ages 2 and 3, the link reappeared at age 6, coinciding with the start of formal education. The research indicates that the impact of screen exposure may vary across different developmental stages, with ages 1 and 6 being critical periods. The study emphasizes that not only the total amount of ... 
