
Global Review Links High Screen Time to Child Development Risks Comparable to Premature Birth
A massive umbrella review involving over 2.8 million children across 64 countries finds that high screen time is associated with lower academic achievement, poorer language development, and increased mental health issues. Published in JAMA Pediatrics, the study led by the University of Calgary notes these effects are comparable to or larger than those of parental behavior and premature birth. However, experts caution that the study cannot distinguish between different types of screen use or prove causation, and some argue the findings do not support the idea that screens are the primary cause of adolescent distress.
