Correlation Between Screen Time and Cognitive Development in Children

Background: The widespread use of digital devices among children has raised global concern regarding its impact on neurocognitive development. While technology can enhance learning when used appropriately, prolonged and unregulated screen exposure may negatively affect attention, language, memory, and executive functioning. Limited data are available from semi-urban Indian settings on this association.

Objectives: To evaluate the relationship between daily screen time and cognitive development among children aged 3-12 years attending the Department of Pediatrics at Krishna Vishwa Vidyapeeth, Karad, Maharashtra.

Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted from November 2023 to April 2025 among 300 children aged 3-12 years. Data on screen exposure, lifestyle habits, and sociodemographic variables were collected through a structured questionnaire. Cognitive assessment was performed using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3) for children aged 3-5 years and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fifth Edition (WISC-V) for those aged 6-12 years. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS v26, employing Pearson’s correlation and multiple linear regression to assess associations between screen time and cognitive performance.

Results: The mean screen time among participants was 3.4 ± 1.2 hours/day, and the mean composite cognitive score was 89.6 ± 13.4. A significant negative correlation was observed between total screen time and cognitive performance (r = -0.42, p < 0.001). Children with >3 hours of daily screen exposure had lower mean cognitive scores (82.4 ± 12.8) compared to those with ≤2 hours (96.3 ± 10.7, p < 0.001). After adjusting for confounding factors such as parental education, socioeconomic status, and sleep duration, excessive screen time remained an independent predictor of reduced cognitive performance (β = -0.35, p = 0.002).

Conclusion: Excessive screen exposure is significantly associated with poorer cognitive outcomes in children. Parental regulation of digital media use, emphasis on outdoor play, and promotion of screen-free periods are essential strategies to support healthy cognitive development.