Early Smartphone Use May Affect Kids’ Memory and Academic Performance: Study
Early exposure to screens during childhood may be linked to weaker working memory and poorer academic performance later in life, according to a new study by researchers from Inserm and the National University of Singapore.
The study examined whether the age at which children were exposed to screens could influence their later learning and memory skills, rather than looking only at the total amount of screen time.
Researchers studied 502 children from the Growing Up in Singapore Towards healthy Outcomes (GUSTO) birth cohort. Screen exposure was assessed at six different stages of childhood and was later compared with academic performance at age 9 and working memory skills at around age 10.5.
The findings were published in the World Journal of Pediatrics.
Screen Exposure in Infancy Linked to Later Outcomes
According to the study, children who had higher screen exposure during infancy, particularly around age 1, were more likely to show poorer academic performance later and weaker working memory.
Screen use around age 6 was also associated with poorer outcomes, suggesting that infancy and the early school years could be important periods when it comes to children's screen habits.
Researchers suggested that one possible explanation is that greater screen exposure may reduce the amount of time children spend on activities that support learning and development, including playing, reading and interacting with parents.
Earlier Research Also Raises Concerns
The latest findings add to earlier research examining the relationship between screen exposure and children's development.
A 2020 review led by researchers at the University of Calgary examined 42 studies involving 18,905 children and found that higher screen use was generally associated with weaker language skills.
However, the review also highlighted that the type of screen activity matters. Educational content and watching screens together with a caregiver were associated with better language outcomes. Children who started using screens at a later age also tended to have stronger language skills.
Screen Time and Attention
A separate 2023 review from researchers in France examined 15 studies involving young children to assess the relationship between screen exposure and attention problems.
All five short-term studies included in the review reported an association between higher screen exposure and attention difficulties. Among 10 studies that followed children over a longer period, six found a link between earlier screen exposure and later attention problems, while four did not find a clear association.
What Parents Should Keep in Mind
The research does not suggest that every child who uses a smartphone or watches screens will develop memory or academic problems. Instead, it points to the importance of when, how much and how children use screens.
The researchers suggest that activities such as reading, playing and interacting with parents remain important parts of early childhood development.
Overall, the evidence indicates that excessive or very early screen exposure may be associated with several areas of development, including learning, working memory, language and attention. At the same time, the nature of screen use and parental involvement may influence its impact.
