Study Links Early Screen Time to Slower Decision-Making in Children

Excessive screen time during infancy is associated with slower decision-making and heightened anxiety in children, according to a comprehensive study conducted over ten years. Researchers from the National University of Singapore, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, and the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) released their findings last week, highlighting the long-term impact of early screen exposure on child development.

The study monitored approximately 170 children born in 2009 as part of the Growing Up in Singapore Towards Healthy Outcomes (GUSTO) birth cohort study. This initiative aimed to explore how pregnancy and early childhood conditions influence both maternal and child health, growth, and development. Brain scans were conducted at various developmental stages to evaluate the effects of screen time.

Findings indicate that children aged up to two years old who experience an additional hour of screen time daily are 25 percent slower in decision-making by the age of 8.5 years. As these children enter their teenage years, they also exhibit increased symptoms of anxiety. The researchers noted these adverse effects span across all socio-economic backgrounds, underscoring a widespread concern.

Understanding the Implications of Early Screen Exposure

Assistant Professor Tan Ai Peng, the lead researcher and a clinician-scientist at NUS, provided insight into how these findings manifest in everyday life. She noted that children might struggle with simple decisions, such as whether to cross the street when the traffic light turns green. Anxiety can present in various forms, including excessive worrying, avoidance of social interactions, and physical symptoms like elevated heart rates and sleep disturbances.

“All these issues with decision-making and anxiety could impact different dimensions of an individual’s life,” Asst Prof Tan explained. This includes potential effects on academic performance and later work capabilities. She emphasized that the importance of interpersonal relationships is also tied to these developmental skills.

The situation may be even more concerning for the current generation, as children today frequently engage with mobile devices and tablets, unlike the earlier cohort, who primarily used televisions. “Research in screen time, especially for young children, is gaining momentum for this reason,” she added.

Encouraging Positive Changes

Despite the concerning findings, the researchers emphasized that it is not too late for parents to intervene. Asst Prof Tan noted that children’s brains remain highly adaptable, and positive lifestyle changes can make a significant difference. Simple adjustments, such as substituting screen time with interactive activities, can help strengthen neural pathways.

Recommended activities include reading together, engaging in face-to-face games, participating in outdoor walks, and enjoying music and sports. Asst Prof Tan highlighted that shared activities are particularly crucial for younger children. “When a child reads alone, they only learn language. But reading with parents fosters back-and-forth interactions and helps children recognize facial expressions and emotions,” she explained.

Parents who wish to incorporate devices into their children’s lives should engage with them during screen time, using technology as an educational tool rather than allowing unsupervised use. While parental involvement is essential during infancy, the importance of healthy peer interactions grows as children mature.

Looking towards the future, the research team plans to continue monitoring the children into adulthood. They aim to assess cognitive functioning, mental health outcomes such as anxiety and depression, and conduct additional brain scans to understand why some children demonstrate greater resilience.

“Ultimately, the aim is to see how children that improve differ from those that don’t,” Asst Prof Tan stated. Future research may aid in developing targeted interventions for children affected by early screen exposure. The team is also expanding their focus to examine how screen time interacts with other lifestyle factors, such as sleep and physical activity.

“All the adverse outcomes we are seeing in these adolescents arise from a combination of high screen time, low physical activity, and insufficient sleep,” Asst Prof Tan concluded. The goal is to create a comprehensive intervention plan that addresses these interconnected issues holistically, guiding families towards healthier lifestyles.