Screen Time Exposure and Its Effects on Cognitive and Behavioral Development in School-Age Children

Submission: 16 November 2025 | Acceptance: 26 January 2026 | Publication: 13 April 2026

Dr Farid Ullah¹, Dr Adnan Jahangir², Dr Hub E Ali³, Dr Tahmoor Ghori⁴, Dr Ahmad Haroon⁵, Dr Danish Marwat⁶

¹Assistant Professor of Pediatrics DHQ Teaching Hospital MTI DIKHAN

²Associate professor, Nishtar University Hospital Multan

³Assistant professor, Mayo Hospital, Lahore

⁴Professor of Medicine, Bolan Medical College, Quetta

⁵Professor of Medicine, Sandaman Provincial Hospital Quetta

⁶Assistant Professor, Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar

ABSTRACT:

Background: Screen time exposure among school-age children had increased substantially due to rapid digitalization, widespread use of smartphones, and online educational platforms. Excessive screen exposure had been associated with altered cognitive performance, attention difficulties, behavioral issues, and reduced social interaction in children.

Aim: The study aimed to assess the effects of screen time exposure on cognitive and behavioral development in school-age children.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study had been conducted at Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, from March 2025 to February 2026. A total of 110 school-age children were enrolled using a non-probability consecutive sampling technique. Data were collected through structured questionnaires completed by parents and teachers, along with standardized cognitive and behavioral assessment scales. Screen time exposure was categorized into low (<2 hours/day), moderate (2–4 hours/day), and high (>4 hours/day). Cognitive performance was evaluated using age-appropriate cognitive assessment tools, while behavioral outcomes were assessed using a standardized behavioral rating scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods.

Results: The study found that 38.2% of children had low screen time exposure, 34.5% had moderate exposure, and 27.3% had high exposure. Children with high screen time exposure demonstrated significantly lower cognitive performance scores compared to those with low exposure (p < 0.05). Behavioral issues such as hyperactivity, attention deficit, and irritability were more frequently observed in the high exposure group (61.7%) compared to the low exposure group (18.4%). A positive correlation had been observed between increased screen time and behavioral difficulties, while an inverse relationship had been noted with cognitive development.

Conclusion: The study concluded that excessive screen time exposure had a detrimental effect on both cognitive and behavioral development in school-age children. Limiting daily screen exposure was recommended to promote healthier cognitive growth and improved behavioral outcomes.

Keywords: Screen time, cognitive development, behavioral development, school-age children, attention, hyperactivity, digital exposure.