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Study finds more screen time can actually be good for children’s brains
Dexerto • • health
Key Points:
- A Finnish study tracking 260 teenagers over eight years found that higher screen time was associated with better cognitive processing by adolescence, though it does not imply that screen use directly increases intelligence.
- Researchers emphasized that the content and nature of screen activities, such as those involving active thinking, problem-solving, creativity, and learning, are likely crucial to cognitive benefits.
- The study suggests a balanced approach, encouraging a mix of screen time that promotes cognitive engagement alongside physical activity, rather than viewing all screen use as harmful.
- Findings on physical activity were mixed, with some types of exercise linked to better working memory depending on sex and activity type, while unsupervised exercise showed unexpected associations with cognition.
- Researchers caution that the study shows correlations, not causation, and call for further intervention studies to clarify the complex relationships between screen time, physical activity, and cognitive development.
