A recent systematic review and meta-analysis published in the journal Psychological Bulletin analyzed 117 studies involving over 292,000 children worldwide, led by Professor Michael Noetel from Queensland University.

The longitudinal nature of these studies provides stronger evidence of a causal relationship between screen time and emotional problems, while also acknowledging that factors like parenting style may influence both.

The research indicates that excessive screen time is linked to emotional and behavioral issues in children, potentially creating a cycle of reliance on screens for coping.

This study highlights the 'displacement effect,' where time spent on screens detracts from opportunities to develop social skills and engage in physical activities, ultimately negatively impacting emotional resilience.

Notably, children experiencing emotional difficulties are more likely to increase their gaming time as a coping strategy, suggesting that gaming fulfills psychological needs for autonomy and social connection.

The type of screen content and purpose of use significantly influenced outcomes, with gaming associated with higher risks compared to educational content.

Interestingly, the research emphasizes that not all screen use is harmful; educational content viewed with parents shows little to no negative effects, indicating that context and content matter significantly.

Most studies included in the analysis were conducted in the United States, followed by Canada, Australia, Germany, and the Netherlands, which may limit the diversity of the findings.

Many of these studies relied on parent or self-reported data for screen time, which may not be entirely accurate, further complicating the results.

The study suggests that simply limiting screen time may not address the underlying issues, advocating for a nuanced approach that considers both the quality and context of screen use.

Overall, this research is the largest of its kind to examine how screen use and mental health issues influence each other over time, rather than at single moments.

Children aged 6-10 are found to be more susceptible to socio-emotional issues from screen use compared to those aged 0-5, with girls being more affected than boys.