Study links higher screen time to weaker learning results in children
Based on the findings of the study, experts urge parents to guide children’s digital habits by focusing on content quality and shared use instead of complete screen bans.
A study by researchers from Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children and St. Michael’s Hospital has found a correlation between increased screen time before age eight and lower scores in reading and mathematics.
Published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the study followed over 3,000 Ontario children from 2008 to 2023, comparing reported screen use with their EQAO standardised test results.
The research did not distinguish between different types of screen activity and was based on parental reports, meaning it shows association rather than causation.
Experts suggest the findings align with previous research showing that extensive screen exposure can affect focus and reduce time spent on beneficial activities such as face-to-face interaction or outdoor play.
Dr Sachin Maharaj from the University of Ottawa noted that screens may condition children’s attention spans in ways that make sustained learning more difficult.
While some parents, such as Surrey’s Anne Whitmore, impose limits to balance digital exposure and development, Birken stressed that the study was not intended to assign blame.
She said encouraging balanced screen habits should be a shared effort among parents, educators and health professionals, with an emphasis on quality content and co-viewing as recommended by the Canadian Paediatric Society.
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