Skip to main content

Screen Time Tied to Mental Health Problems in Kindergarten Children

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Dec 5, 2023.

By Lori Solomon HealthDay Reporter

TUESDAY, Dec. 5, 2023 -- Screen time is associated with mental health problems in children aged 3 to 6 years, according to a study published online Dec. 4 in JAMA Pediatrics.

Haiwa Wang, from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and colleagues explored changes in screen exposure across different content types and their relationship with mental health in children ages 3 to 6 years. The analysis included data from 15,965 participants in the Shanghai Children’s Health, Education and Lifestyle Evaluation-Preschool study (November 2016 to May 2019 when children were aged 3 to 4 years [wave 1], 4 to 5 years [wave 2], and 5 to 6 years [wave 3]).

The researchers found that as children developed from ages 3 to 6 years, the proportion of screen exposure to educational programs (no more than one hour per day: 45.0 to 26.8 percent) and entertainment programs (no more than one hour per day: 44.4 to 32.1 percent) decreased, while exposure to social media increased (no more than one hour per day: 1.5 to 27.1 percent). A higher proportion of screen exposure to educational programs was associated with a lower risk for mental health problems (adjusted odds ratio, 0.73), but non-child-directed programs were associated with a higher risk for such problems (adjusted odds ratio, 2.82). Total screen time was consistently associated with mental health problems, regardless of content.

"Limiting children's screen time, prioritizing educational programs, and avoiding non-child-directed programs are recommended," the authors write.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

© 2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Posted December 2023

Read this next

American Psychiatric Association, May 4-8

The annual meeting of the American Psychiatric Association was held from May 4 to 8 in New York City, drawing participants from around the world, including clinicians...

Physicians With Disabilities May Experience Depersonalization

MONDAY, May 13, 2024 -- Physicians with disabilities (PWDs) are significantly more likely to experience depersonalization but not emotional exhaustion when compared with their...

Video Laryngoscopy Improves Intubation on First Attempt in Neonates

FRIDAY, May 10, 2024 -- Among neonates undergoing urgent endotracheal intubation, successful intubation on the first attempt occurs in more neonates undergoing video laryngoscopy...

More news resources

Subscribe to our newsletter

Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.