Young children and screen-based media: The impact on cognitive and socioemotional development and the importance of parental mediation

• Published in: Cognitive development Vol. 66; p. 101319
• Main Authors: Swider-Cios, Edyta, Vermeij, Anouk, Sitskoorn, Margriet M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 01.04.2023
• Subjects: Cognitive development; Early childhood; Parental role; Screen-based media; Early childhood; Parental role; Cognitive development; Screen-based media
• ISSN: 0885-2014; 1879-226X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cogdev.2023.101319

Young children are deeply immersed in digital technologies and the way children interact with screen-based media during early childhood is constantly changing. Literature shows that the use of screen-based media in early childhood can have both positive and negative impacts on children's cognitive and socioemotional development. In this literature review, we describe the risks and benefits of screen-based media use on cognitive and socioemotional development by reviewing research findings published since 2010. Specifically, we focus on the influence of screen-based media on children between 0 and 5 years of age, as it is a period of accelerated brain development and emergence and growth of cognitive abilities within several cognitive domains. We describe findings around content-based, content-independent, form-based, and social-based theories of the impact of screen-based media on development, highlighting the role parents play in their children's relationship with screen-based media. Finally, we provide recommendations for future research and practical guidelines for parents, medical practitioners, policymakers, and the media industry. •We describe the impact of screen-based media on a child’s development around four theories.•Excessive screen use, fast-paced content, and unsupervised screen exposure are disruptive to a child’s development.•Programs aimed at young children should be adapted to the child's cognitive abilities and encourage parent-child co-use.•Screen use recommendations for young children should address unique family dynamics, needs, and daily life characteristics.