High Screen Time in Early Childhood May Affect Learning and Memory Years Later

The amount of time spent in front of a screen during early childhood may have an impact on learning and memory years later. A study conducted in Singapore found that high screen time at the ages of 1 and 6 may be associated with lower academic achievement and weaker working memory in later years. The researchers emphasized that the question of 'when' is just as important as the question of 'how much' when it comes to screen use.The study followed children from birth to age 8, comparing their screen use with their academic performance at age 9 and their working memory at age 10.5. A total of 502 children were examined in the study. The researchers analyzed the screen time reported by parents at different ages to assess the long-term impact on cognitive development.The study found that high screen time at the ages of 1 and 6, during the transition from preschool to elementary school, was associated with lower academic performance and weaker working memory in later years. The researchers noted that the strongest effect was seen at the age of 1, during which the brain is more sensitive to learning and screen time may reduce the interaction between children and their environment.