A global study finds screen time fuels a harmful cycle in children, increasing emotional struggles and aggressive behavior while also being used as a coping tool.
New Research Uncovers Harmful Cycle of Screen Use
A sweeping global study published this week in the journal Psychological Bulletin has found that children who spend more time on screens—including phones, tablets, TVs, and gaming consoles—are at higher risk of developing emotional and behavioral issues. The findings reveal a troubling cycle: screens may cause problems like anxiety or aggression, but are also used by children to cope with those very issues.
Largest Review of Its Kind Offers Strong Evidence
Led by researchers at Queensland University, the meta-analysis reviewed more than 100 studies involving nearly 300,000 children under age 10 across several countries, including Canada, the U.S., Australia, and Germany. Each study tracked screen time and emotional outcomes over at least six months, offering the most comprehensive evidence to date on screen time’s impact on young children.
Gaming and Emotional Issues Closely Linked
The study found gaming consoles were particularly tied to emotional difficulties. While violent games weren’t solely to blame, time spent gaming—regardless of content—was more strongly linked to issues like low self-esteem and emotional dysregulation than passive screen use like watching TV or using educational apps. Boys were more likely to use gaming as an emotional escape, while girls showed a higher risk of emotional challenges from prolonged screen use.
Early Exposure and Excessive Use Raise Risks
Researchers observed that screen time under age two (excluding video chats) and exceeding one hour for ages 2–5 or two hours for older kids correlated with worsening outcomes. Children who regularly surpassed recommended screen time limits were significantly more likely to develop socio-emotional problems, including sleep disruption, social withdrawal, and aggressive behavior.
Experts Urge Parents to Monitor and Engage
Dr. Michael Noetel, one of the study’s authors, emphasized that screen use often starts as a coping strategy but can turn into a self-reinforcing loop. Canadian digital literacy expert Kara Brisson-Boivin added that parents should look beyond quantity and focus on why children are turning to screens. She recommends co-viewing, discussing screen habits with children, and ensuring screens are not used as the default emotional crutch.
Canadian Guidelines and Parental Action Steps
According to the Canadian Paediatric Society, screens should be avoided entirely under age two and limited to one hour daily for children under five. Older children and teens should aim for no more than two hours per day, with screens turned off at least one hour before bedtime. Experts also advise removing devices from bedrooms at night to avoid sleep issues.
Signs Screen Use May Be Harmful
Warning signs include tantrums when devices are removed, loss of interest in other activities, or declining academic and social engagement. Brisson-Boivin stresses that while occasional screen use is acceptable, consistent reliance on it can be a red flag for deeper emotional struggles.
Empowering Kids to Self-Regulate
Rather than enforcing rigid rules, experts suggest involving children in creating screen time boundaries. “Kids are smart,” said Brisson-Boivin. “When we empower them to be the pilots of their own experience, we build trust and long-term media literacy.”
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