Data reveals wealthy kids use screens more than poorer peers

By Stephen Beech

Screen time among children has soared over the last 30 years – particularly among youngsters from wealthier families, reveals new research.

The nature of screen use by children and teenagers has also shifted dramatically - from traditional television to more interactive and personalized digital devices such as mobile phones and video games, say scientists.

The findings come from the first systematic review to track long-term screen trends before and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Researchers analyzed 60 studies published between 1991 and 2022.

The review, published in the journal Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, is the first to comprehensively examine long-term trends in screen time use among young people across both pre-pandemic and pandemic periods.

Lead author Yuko Mori said the findings show that the nature of screen use has changed significantly during the study period.

Earlier studies focused mainly on TV viewing, but from the mid-2010s onward, research began to include newer devices, such as smartphones and tablets.

Mori, from the Research Centre for Child Psychiatry at the University of Turku, Finland, said: "Interestingly, even during the pandemic, television viewing continued to decline.

"School closures during the pandemic intensified screen dependence

"Before the COVID-19 pandemic, research showed a mixed picture, as most studies indicated an increasing trend while others showed mixed results.

"The majority of studies conducted after the pandemic showed a dramatic increase in both total and leisure screen time among children and adolescents."

Across age groups, older children and adolescents generally reported higher screen time than younger children.

More from this section

'Looming' risk of nuclear arms race, UN proliferation meeting hears

Eurovision, venerable institution where art meets politics

T'Wolves shake off key injuries to beat Nuggets for 3-1 series lead

Co-lead author Sanju Silwal, also from the University of Turku, said: "This likely reflects developmental factors.

"Adolescence is a life stage where peer relationships, online social interaction, and romantic relationships become increasingly central."

The findings showed the increase in screen time was observed across socioeconomic groups, but was more pronounced among children from wealthier backgrounds.

The researchers suggest that may reflect greater access to personal digital devices.

They say the sustained rise in screen exposure raises concerns regarding potential impacts on physical health, mental well-being, sleep, and development.

Beyond time spent on digital devices, digital environments may also expose young people to cyberbullying, inappropriate content, and unrealistic body ideals.

Several countries have introduced regulatory measures in response to growing concerns about digital media use by children.

The researchers stressed that effective responses must be grounded in high-quality evidence.

Most research has focused on the duration of screen use rather than the quality, context, or content of digital activities.

But the researchers called for future studies to adopt a more nuanced approach, examining not only how much time children spend on screens but also what they are doing online and how it affects their well-being.

Silwal added: "Technology offers tremendous opportunities, but it also presents risks.

"To ensure that children benefit from digital environments, we need continuous research, evidence-based policies, and coordinated efforts from families, schools, communities, and governments."