Extracurricular activities as a moderator of the association between screen time and executive functions in children

Screen time and extracurricular activities represent two prominent components of modern childhood, particularly among children aged 6-7 years. Given the landscape, the aim of this study was to examine whether the number of different extracurricular activities attended by a child moderates the association between screen time and executive functions in children aged 6-7 years. Family income and maternal education were included as control variables, given their established links with children's executive functions.

The sample comprised 1,138 children aged 6-7 years (583 boys and 555 girls). Screen time, maternal education, family income, the number of different types of extracurricular activities a child attended, as well as characteristics of extracurricular activity participation were assessed using a questionnaire for mothers. Executive functions were assessed using subtests from the NEPSY-II neuropsychological battery and the Dimensional Change Card Sort. Analyses were conducted separately for boys and girls.

A significant moderating effect emerged exclusively for girls. The number of extracurricular activities moderated the relationship between screen time and verbal working memory, with low to moderate levels of activity participation strengthening the negative association. However, this finding should be interpreted with caution and is considered hypothesis-generating rather than confirmatory.

Among 6- to 7-year-old girls, the potential adverse effects of screen time on executive functions may be offset by a rich developmental environment, but firm conclusions cannot be drawn. Engagement in a diverse range of extracurricular activities may represent a plausible strategy for supporting verbal working memory in the context of elevated screen time, but these preliminary findings require independent replication before any practical recommendations can be made. For parents and educators, this study suggests that alongside limiting screen exposure, ensuring that children's leisure time includes varied structured activities could be valuable-although this remains to be confirmed in future research.