Study Links Early Childhood Screen Time To Lower Academic Performance

Researchers tracking over 3,300 children from 2008 to 2023 found that each additional hour of daily screen time before kindergarten reduced odds of higher academic achievement by 9 to 10% in grade three reading and math, and grade six math. The study measured screen habits at average age 5.54 years when children watched about 90 minutes daily. Researchers noted that “high levels of screen time may displace academic-promoting activities, such as physical activity, peer play time, and sleep.” TV and tablet use showed similar negative effects on test scores, while writing skills remained unaffected. Video games particularly impacted girls’ reading and math performance but not boys’. (Story URL)