Screen time at ages 1 and 6 linked to lower academic performance

A longitudinal study conducted by the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research and the National University of Singapore suggests that the age at which children consume screen media significantly impacts their future cognitive and academic outcomes.

Tracking 502 children from ages 1 to 8, researchers found that screen time exposure at approximately 1 year old and 6 years old had the most pronounced correlation with lower academic performance and weaker working memory by age 9 and 10.5, respectively.

At age 1, the impact is attributed to the rapid development of neural connections, where excessive screen time may displace essential developmental activities such as parental interaction, reading, and physical exploration. At age 6, as children enter formal schooling, high screen usage may interfere with the focus, reading, and writing skills required for academic success.

While the study is observational and does not prove direct causation, researchers suggest that managing screen exposure during these two sensitive developmental windows could help mitigate potential negative effects on a population-wide scale.