More screen time in childhood associated with better cognitive processing in adolescence

Key Points:

• A study from the Universities of Jyväskylä and Eastern Finland found that increased screen time since childhood is linked to better cognitive processing in adolescence, suggesting screen time can support active thinking and learning depending on its use.
• Researchers emphasize the importance of balancing physical activity with screen time to promote cognitive development, rather than viewing screen time solely as harmful.
• The study revealed sex-specific associations: in girls, light-intensity physical activity correlated with better working memory, while in boys, guided physical activity showed similar benefits.
• Unexpectedly, less unsupervised physical activity was associated with better cognitive processing, and physical activity measured by sensors showed no clear link, highlighting the complexity of these relationships and the importance of activity type and assessment methods.
• The findings are based on an eight-year follow-up of 260 adolescents and underscore the need for further research to clarify causal effects, sex differences, and the impact of physical activity intensity on cognitive development.