Excessive Screen Time Linked to Brain Changes in Children

Recent scientific studies warn that children who spend more than one hour per day on screens may experience negative changes in brain structure and function. Research from Cincinnati Children's Hospital on children aged 3‑5 showed reduced integrity of white‑matter pathways that support language and reading skills. A separate survey of 528 children aged 6‑12 found that each additional hour of short‑video viewing increased attention‑deficit symptoms, with a 1.04‑fold rise in inattentiveness scores.

The findings suggest that fast‑paced, highly stimulating content such as short videos, games, and low‑quality animation can disrupt natural brain development, impair language acquisition, social interaction, and impulse control. Experts recommend limiting screen exposure to under one hour daily and encouraging face‑to‑face activities to support healthy cognitive growth.

These warnings are being highlighted in Vietnam and Indonesia as parents seek guidance on managing children’s media use during school holidays and beyond.