Study Links Increased Screen Time to Poorer Child Development Outcomes
A new study has found a correlation between increased screen time in children and poorer developmental outcomes across various areas, including cognitive function, learning, speech, behavior, and emotional regulation. The research, led by senior author Sheri Madigan, a professor of psychology at the University of Calgary, Canada, reviewed decades of studies involving nearly three million children aged 18 and under from 64 countries. While the associations were generally small, the researchers emphasize their significance given the near-universal exposure to screens in children's lives. The study also noted that more recent research indicates stronger links between screen time and child development compared to older studies, possibly due to the evolving nature of digital devices, which are now more interactive and pervasive. The findings suggest that while technology can be a valuable tool for learning and creativity, it can also displace essential activities for child development such as sleep, physical ac...
