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Bidirectional associations between screen time and children's externalizing and internalizing behaviors.
Ross D Neville1, Brae Anne McArthur2,3, Rachel Eirich2,3
1School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
Summary
Screen time and child behavior have a complex relationship. While early behavioral issues may lead to increased screen use, excessive screen time in preschoolers is linked to internalizing behaviors, which later decrease with more screen time.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Media Psychology
Background:
- Excessive screen time is often linked to behavioral problems in children.
- Alternatively, children with behavioral dysregulation may receive more screen access for management.
- The directionality of this relationship requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine temporally stable and longitudinal associations between screen time and behaviors.
- To address the directionality of screen time and behavioral dysregulation.
- To investigate externalizing and internalizing behaviors across childhood.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cohort study of 10,172 Irish children (ages 3-9).
- Data collected via caregiver report on screen time and behaviors (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire).
- Random-intercepts cross-lagged panel models used to assess bidirectional associations.
Main Results:
- Externalizing and internalizing behaviors stabilized in later childhood.
- Early externalizing/internalizing behaviors (age 3) predicted increased screen time (age 5).
- Screen time (ages 3, 5) predicted increased internalizing behaviors (ages 5, 7), but not externalizing behaviors.
- Screen time (age 7) predicted fewer internalizing behaviors (age 9).
Conclusions:
- Bidirectional associations between screen time and internalizing behaviors were found in preschoolers.
- Directional associations between screen time and internalizing difficulties persist throughout childhood.
- Findings inform age-specific screen use guidelines and family media planning.
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