A new research study from Singapore warns that prolonged exposure to electronic screens significantly impacts children's future education and memory capabilities. According to the findings, there is a notable negative correlation between screen time and cognitive development in young children.
According to data from the GUSTO infant cohort study, researchers monitored 502 children from ages 1 to 8 years. The study found a concerning pattern: children who spent more time on screens at younger ages showed declining test scores and working memory performance in later years.
The research revealed that for every additional hour of daily screen time at age 1, exam scores dropped by as much as 1.47 points by age 9. Additionally, in working memory assessments conducted at age 10.5, children who had higher screen exposure between ages 1 and 6 showed memory score declines of over 1 point each.
The average screen time for these children increased from approximately 2.1 hours per day at age 1 to 3 hours per day by age 8.
The findings, published in the World Journal of Pediatrics, note that while screen time alone cannot be definitively proven as the direct cause, it is closely linked to brain development in young children. Researchers urge parents to be especially mindful and cautious regarding children's screen exposure.
Ref: Technology Innovation
