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Longitudinal Associations of Electronic Application Use and Media Program Viewing with Cognitive and Psychosocial Development in Preschoolers

journal contribution
posted on 2024-11-16, 03:48 authored by Jade Mcneill, Steven HowardSteven Howard, Stewart VellaStewart Vella, Dylan CliffDylan Cliff
Objective To investigate associations of traditional (program viewing) and contemporary (electronic applications, or apps) electronic media use with preschoolers’ executive function and psychosocial development 12 months later. Methods We conducted an analysis of longitudinal data from 185 children (mean age, 4.2 ± 0.6 years). Parents reported children's weekly electronic media use: 1) viewing programs on television or other devices and 2) app and game play using tablets, computers, consoles, or other devices. Direct assessments of children's executive functions (working memory, inhibition, and shifting) and educator-reported psychosocial difficulties were also collected. Linear regression models assessed associations between baseline predictors and developmental outcomes 12 months later, adjusting for covariates, preschool clustering, and baseline levels of predictors. Results Higher levels of program viewing at baseline were significantly associated with increases in externalizing behaviors (β = 0.008; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.002–0.014; P = .010) and total difficulties (β = 0.013; 95% CI, 0.005–0.022; P = .005) at follow-up. High-dose app users (≥30 min/d) had a significantly lower inhibition score (mean difference = –0.04; 95% CI: –0.09 to –0.00; P = .044) at follow-up compared to low-dose app users (1 to 29 min/d). Conclusions Limiting electronic app use to <30 min/d and limiting media program viewing may be positively associated with preschool children's cognitive and psychosocial development.

Funding

Do physical activity and electronic screen behaviours influence cognitive and psychosocial development in preschool children? Levels of physical inactivity and screen-based entertainment are alarmingly high among preschool children, yet little is known about the independent effects of these behaviours on cognitive and psychosocial development during early childhood

Australian Research Council

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Self-regulation in children

Australian Research Council

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History

Citation

McNeill, J., Howard, S. J., Vella, S. A. & Cliff, D. P. (2019). Longitudinal Associations of Electronic Application Use and Media Program Viewing with Cognitive and Psychosocial Development in Preschoolers. Academic Pediatrics, 19 (5), 520-528.

Journal title

Academic Pediatrics

Volume

19

Issue

5

Pagination

520-528

Language

English

RIS ID

135393

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