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Digital Media Use and Child Health and Development: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Samantha Teague1,2,3, Klaire Somoray1,2, Adrian Shatte2,4
1Department of Psychology, College of Healthcare Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia.
JAMA Pediatrics
|March 9, 2026
Summary
This systematic review found that social media, video games, and digital media use are linked to risks in child and adolescent health and development. Findings emphasize the need for interventions to mitigate potential harms from digital media exposure.
Area of Science:
- Child and Adolescent Health
- Developmental Psychology
- Media Psychology
Background:
- Digital media use is pervasive among children and adolescents globally.
- Understanding the health and developmental impacts of this use is crucial for public health and policy.
- Longitudinal evidence is needed to establish causal links and long-term effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize global longitudinal evidence on the associations between digital media use (social media, video games, other digital media) and health/developmental outcomes in individuals aged 0-18 years.
- To provide a meta-analytic synthesis of the quantitative associations.
- To examine moderators influencing these associations.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review and meta-analysis following PRISMA guidelines.
- Inclusion of longitudinal studies published between 2000-2024, reporting quantitative associations.
- Random-effects meta-analyses to estimate pooled correlations, with examination of heterogeneity and moderators.
Main Results:
- 153 studies (115 cohorts, 1072 effect sizes) met criteria.
- Social media use associated with increased depression, behavioral issues, problematic internet use, substance use, and decreased academic achievement/self-perception.
- Video gaming linked to higher aggression, externalizing behaviors, and improved attention/executive functioning.
- Other digital media use associated with depression.
Conclusions:
- Digital media use, particularly social media, is consistently associated with risks to child and adolescent health and development.
- Findings underscore the necessity for targeted policies and interventions to mitigate potential harms.
- Further research may explore specific mechanisms and protective factors.
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