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Review
. 2022 Mar-Apr;36(2):99-109.
doi: 10.1016/j.pedhc.2021.06.003. Epub 2021 Jul 30.

Screen Media Overuse and Associated Physical, Cognitive, and Emotional/Behavioral Outcomes in Children and Adolescents: An Integrative Review

Jianghong Liu, Susan Riesch, Joyce Tien, Terri Lipman, Jennifer Pinto-Martin, Ann O'Sullivan
Review

Screen Media Overuse and Associated Physical, Cognitive, and Emotional/Behavioral Outcomes in Children and Adolescents: An Integrative Review

Jianghong Liu et al. J Pediatr Health Care. 2022 Mar-Apr.

Abstract

Introduction: Screen media overuse is seen as a public health concern because of its negative effects on child and adolescent health. This integrative literature review examines recent empirical evidence on the relationship between screen media overuse and physical, cognitive, and emotional/behavioral outcomes in children and adolescents.

Methods: Empirical research of experimental design, observational studies, and systematic reviews from several data sources was reviewed and synthesized to form the basis of this integrative review.

Results: Screen media overuse is associated with poor sleep quality, shorter sleep duration, greater likelihood for overweight/obesity, lower executive functioning, poorer academic performance, and increased internalizing and externalizing problems. Bidirectional associations may exist.

Discussion: Findings support the importance of understanding the impact of screen media use on health and wellbeing. Generating screen time guidelines and developing effective prevention/intervention strategies are critical to mitigating screen media overuse and its adverse outcomes in children and families.

Keywords: Screen media overuse; children/adolescents; cognition; internalizing/externalizing; obesity; sleep.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest: None to report.

Figures

FIGURE.
FIGURE.
Screen media overuse and associated outcomes.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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