Children who spend more time on screens in their early years may perform worse in reading and mathematics during primary school, according to a new long-term study from Canada.
Published in the journal JAMA Network Open, the research tracked more than 3,000 children in Ontario from 2008 to 2023, examining how screen habits between infancy and middle childhood affected later academic outcomes. Researchers linked parent-reported data on screen use — including television, video games, and digital devices such as tablets and smartphones — to results from standardized tests taken in grades three and six, roughly at ages eight and eleven.
The findings showed that children with higher levels of total screen time tended to achieve lower scores in both reading and maths. The negative associations were strongest for time spent watching TV and using digital devices, while the study found no clear link between screen use and writing performance.
Only one in five parents reported that their children played video games, but among those who did, the effects appeared to differ by gender. Girls who played video games performed worse in grade three reading and maths than boys with similar habits.
Dr. Catherine Birken, senior child health scientist at Toronto’s SickKids Research Institute and one of the study’s authors, said the results highlight the need for early intervention. “These findings underscore the importance of developing healthy screen habits for young children and their families,” she said.
While the study adds to growing concern over excessive screen use, the authors cautioned that the results show a correlation, not causation. Because the data relied on parental reporting, it may also contain bias.
Experts outside the study urged restraint in interpreting the findings. Chris Ferguson, a psychology professor at Stetson University, said that while such studies are valuable, “the real-world implications are much less certain.” He noted that moderate screen use, particularly when educational or supervised, may not be harmful.
The World Health Organization (WHO) currently recommends that children aged two to four should have no more than one hour of screen time daily, and that babies under one year old should not be exposed to screens at all.
However, other research suggests that not all screen time is detrimental. A 2025 European Union working group report found that moderate and interactive screen use, especially when parents are involved, can support language development in young children.
Despite differing opinions, the new Canadian study reinforces ongoing calls for balance — encouraging families to manage children’s screen exposure while promoting offline activities that foster early learning.
