The research followed over 3,000 children from Ontario, Canada, between 2008 and 2023, connecting parent-reported screen time data with standardized test scores in grades three and six roughly ages 8 and 11. Children who spent the most time on screens generally scored lower in reading and math.
The study examined various forms of screen use, including video games, television, and digital devices such as computers, smartphones, and tablets. Overall, greater total screen time particularly time spent watching TV or using digital devices — was associated with lower academic performance.
However, researchers found no link between screen time and writing skills.
Interestingly, only 20% of parents reported that their children played video games. Among those who did, girls showed lower scores in grade three reading and math compared with boys.
“These findings highlight the need for early interventions that encourage healthy screen habits among young children and their families,” said Dr. Catherine Birken, senior child health scientist at SickKids Research Institute in Toronto and one of the study’s authors.
While the findings add to growing concern over excessive screen use, the evidence remains mixed. The researchers noted that the data were self-reported by parents and that the study identifies correlations, not direct cause-and-effect relationships.
Chris Ferguson, a psychology professor at Stetson University who was not involved in the research, cautioned against overinterpreting the findings: “The real-world implications are much less certain,” he said.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), children aged two to four should have no more than one hour of screen time per day, while infants under one year old should have none at all.
Still, not all screen use is harmful. A 2025 European Union report found that moderate, interactive screen time — especially when shared with parents — can actually support language development in young children.