How Excessive Screen Time Is Impacting Kids: 8 Research-Backed Concerns
"The future of our children is tied to how we manage their technology use today."
—Dr. Jean Twenge
Screens. Nutrition. Sleep. These are the three things I worry about most when it comes to raising healthy kids. Some days it’s in that order. Some days it’s not. All of them will have long-term impacts on my child’s development but screens will be the one that will be the most challenging.
Because the fight isn’t going away. As our kids grow older, their friends will get phones, games, smartwatches. The pull toward tech will only intensify. It’s not just a phase, it’s the environment they’re growing up in.
And that makes it my job, not to eliminate screens, but to build a foundation strong enough to withstand them. To help my child develop a healthy relationship with technology before the algorithms do it for them.
As a parent, therapist, and someone who’s watched the growing tension between digital culture and childhood play out in real time, here are 10 science-backed truths every parent should know about kids and screens, before it’s too late to shape the story.
10 Science-Based Facts about Screens & Kids
1. Technoference and Parental Screen Habits Impact Children’s Behaviors
One of the most significant risks of excessive screen time is the decline in real-world social interaction. A study published in Child Development introduced the concept of "technoference," referring to interruptions in parent-child interactions due to technology. The research found that problematic digital technology use by both mothers and fathers led to more frequent technoference, which in turn was associated with higher reports of both externalizing and internalizing behavior in children.
In fact, 48% of participants reported that technoference occurred 3 or more times per day during parent-child interactions. Furthermore, 40% of mothers and 32% of fathers admitted to using their mobile phones in problematic ways. These findings are compounded by research showing that children often model their behavior after what they see at home, especially regarding technology use. When parents are distracted by their phones during key moments like family dinners, their kids are more likely to struggle with emotional regulation. This behavior, known as "phubbing" (phone snubbing), can lead to emotional dysregulation, anxiety, and increased attention-seeking behaviors, which make it more difficult for children to form healthy, real-world relationships. The long-term consequences of such behavior include heightened stress levels and a sense of emotional neglect, as children whose parents frequently check their phones during meals or conversations tend to exhibit more impulsive behaviors and anxiety.
2. Screen Time Is Altering Brain Development
There’s mounting evidence that excessive screen time is affecting the brain's development. A study published in The Lancet in 2020 showed that children who spent more time on screens had reduced brain activity, specifically in the areas responsible for decision-making, impulse control, and social cognition. This means that the critical areas of the brain that help with attention and decision-making may not develop as efficiently in children who are frequently exposed to screens. As a result, children may struggle more with focusing, regulating their emotions, and making thoughtful decisions as they grow older..
3. Excessive Screen Time Disrupts Emotional Regulation
When kids use screens to escape their emotions, whether boredom, frustration, or anger, they miss out on the opportunity to learn healthy coping mechanisms. Research found that toddlers exposed to more screen time were more likely to struggle with emotional regulation later in childhood, particularly if they were allowed to use screens during emotional outbursts. Without experiencing the discomfort of emotions and learning how to manage them, children develop fewer emotional regulation strategies. This can lead to increased impulsivity, frustration, and difficulty managing stress as they grow older.
4. Fast-Paced Content Is Rewiring Kids' Brains
Many children's shows and media are designed to be fast-paced and overstimulating, using rapid scene changes, bright colors, and loud sounds to capture and hold attention. While this content may be entertaining, research has shown that it can have negative effects on a child’s brain development. Shows with fast-paced transitions and overwhelming sensory input have been linked to increased anxiety, attention issues, and difficulties with emotional regulation.
The author of this article analyzed 60-second clips that focus on the pace, sensory input, and overall impact on children’s cognitive and emotional development.
The "Good" shows include Bluey, Trash Truck, Curious George, Puffin Rock, and Little Bear.
The "Bad" shows include Paw Patrol, Peppa Pig, Cocomelon, Gabby's Dollhouse, Daniel Tiger, Octonauts, Hot Wheels, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Yo Gabba Gabba, and Super Kitties.
5. Screen Use Disrupts Sleep and Academic Performance
The growing use of screens among children is associated with significant disruptions to their sleep and academic performance. A recent study published in Current Obesity Reports investigated the impact of screen time on sleep quality, dream recall, and academic performance in school-aged children. The research involved 1,000 children aged 6-14, divided into two groups: those with low screen time (less than one hour per day) and high screen time (more than three hours per day). The study found that children in the high screen time group showed significantly poorer sleep efficiency, more frequent night wakings, and increased daytime sleepiness compared to those with lower screen exposure. Specifically, the low screen time group exhibited better sleep efficiency (90% vs. 75%), more frequent dream recall (70% vs. 30%), and less daytime sleepiness (20% vs. 60%).
In addition to sleep issues, children in the high screen time group also performed worse academically, achieving lower grades ('B' range) compared to their peers in the low screen time group ('A' to 'A+'). This was attributed to the negative impact of excessive screen exposure on attention, memory, and cognitive function.
6. Screen Time and Emotion Understanding Development
Research published in the British Journal of Developmental Psychology highlights how increased screen time, especially watching television, affects children’s ability to understand emotions. A study conducted on 960 Norwegian children aged 4, 6, and 8 revealed that more screen time at age 4 predicted lower levels of emotion understanding at age 6. Additionally, having a television in the child's bedroom at age 6 forecasted lower emotion understanding at age 8.
Notably, the effects of television watching on emotional comprehension were stronger for girls, while gaming affected boys’ ability to understand emotions at a mentalistic level. The study emphasized the importance of face-to-face interaction in the early years for the healthy development of social-emotional skills.
7. Excessive Screen Exposure Leads to Screen Addiction and Distraction in Children
As technology advances, more children are spending significant portions of their day in front of screens, whether through smartphones, tablets, or televisions. While screens can provide educational benefits, prolonged exposure has been linked to significant developmental issues.
A study, published in The Impact of Screen Exposure on Screen Addiction and Sensory Processing in Typically Developing Children Aged 6–10 Years, found that children in the high-exposure group (more than two hours of screen time per day) showed significant increases in screen addiction, attention deficits, and sedentary behavior. These children were also more likely to experience reduced physical activity, further contributing to a cycle of inactivity and addiction to digital media.
The research also underscores that increased screen time is linked to problems with sensory processing skills, which may further complicate a child's ability to manage distractions and engage in meaningful social interactions.
8. Excessive Screen Time Is Linked to Poor Mental Health Outcomes in Children and Adolescents
The rise in screen time, particularly among children and adolescents, has been paralleled by a concerning increase in mental health issues as well. Studies have shown that excessive screen use is consistently associated with more severe symptoms of depression, anxiety, and poor psychological well-being. A comprehensive narrative review published in Current Obesity Reports examined the psychological effects of sedentary screen time behaviors in children and adolescents. The review synthesized findings from 60 studies and found strong evidence linking higher levels of screen time to depressive symptoms, body dissatisfaction, and poor psychological well-being, particularly among females.
Final Thoughts
The evidence is clear: screens are having a profound impact on children’s physical, emotional, and cognitive development. While technology isn't going away, it's critical that parents understand the risks associated with excessive screen time.
To learn about practical strategies to address this, check out my interview with Emily Cherkin, the author of The Screentime Solution: A Judgment-Free Guide to Becoming a Tech-Intentional Family.
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