Screen Time and Brain Waves: A Troubling Connection
Medical News
In a Singapore study published January 2023, 437 children were followed at age one and then again at age nine for the effect of screen time on mobile electronic devices had on the children. The mean screentime was 2.1 hours at 1 year of age but some had an average of more than 4 hours a day. In this group longer daily screen times were correlated with poorer executive functioning at age nine.
EEGs (electroencephalograms) were done on 157 of these children at 18 months of age. It was reported that there was a correlation between longer average daily screen time and higher number of theta waves in the EEGs. Children with higher theta wave scores on EEG were also found to have poorer executive functioning at age nine than children who did not have this finding.
Executive function is the ability to plan and perform tasks. It includes time management, self-control, organization, working memory, and cognitive flexibility. They did try to control for household income in the analysis.
Comments:
This study suggests the amount of daily screen time may negatively affect brain patterns and brain functioning in children. However, as the authors state it cannot prove causality as these results may also be a function of family dynamics or parent-child interactions.
The results of this study are consistent with other studies that have shown that digital screen experience may cause structural and functional changes in children’s brains, with the most vulnerable area being the prefrontal cortex and its associated executive ability.
We are in the midst of an unintended world-wide experiment on the effects of daily use of digital devices on childrens’ brain development. It appears as if some of the effects have been negative, however the full extent of those effects may not fully be known for some time.
References
Law EC, Han MX, Lai Z, et al. Associations Between Infant Screen Use, Electroencephalography Markers, and Cognitive Outcomes. JAMA Pediatr. 2023;177(3):311–318. Retrieved from: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/fullarticle/2800776
Wu, D., Dong, X., Liu, D., & Li, H. (2023). How Early Digital Experience Shapes Young Brains During 0-12 Years: A Scoping Review. Early Education and Development, 1–37. Retrieved from: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10409289.2023.2278117
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