Does Screen Time Cause ADHD in Children?

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neuro-developmental disorder that affects children and adults. It is characterized by difficulty paying attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Screen time is the amount of time spent using electronic devices such as computers, tablets, and smartphones. Screen time has become increasingly common in recent years, and there is some concern that it may be linked to ADHD.

There is some evidence that screen time may be a risk factor for ADHD. One study found that children who spent more than two hours per day watching television were more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than children who watched less than one hour per day (1). Another study found that children who used electronic devices for more than two hours per day had a 7-fold increased risk of meeting criteria for ADHD (2).

However, it is important to note that these studies did not prove that screen time caused ADHD. It is possible that children with ADHD are simply more likely to spend more time using electronic devices, as they find this activity soothing, and easier to focus on.

More research is needed to determine whether there is a causal link between screen time and ADHD. In the meantime, it is important for parents to be aware of the potential risks and benefits of screen time and to make informed decisions about how much screen time their children should have, and pay extra attention to the type of content they consume.

Three tips for parents who are concerned about the amount of screen time their children are getting:

• Set limits on screen time. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under the age of two should have no screen time at all, and that children 2 to 5 years of age should have no more than one hour of screen time per day (3).
• Choose high-quality content. When your child does use electronic devices, make sure they are watching or playing educational or interactive content.
• Be a role model. Children learn by watching the adults in their lives. If you want your child to limit their screen time, make sure you are setting a good example.

The guidance to choose high quality content is really important in our view, because it highlights that not all screen time is made equal. Intuitively, we could all agree that screen time spent learning something new would be much more beneficial than random scrolling through social media posts, or TikTok videos. Guiding our children to high-quality content is easier said than done, and this challenge is an integral part of our mission at Gleam.

References

1. Christakis DA, Zimmerman FJ, Garrison MM, et al. Associations between early childhood television exposure and subsequent attention problems in children. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2004;158(5):437-445. doi:10.1001/archpedi.158.5.437
2. Tamana, S. K., Ezeugwu, V., Chikuma, J., Lefebvre, D. L., Azad, M. B., Moraes, T. J., ... & Mandhane, P. J. (2019). Screen-time is associated with inattention problems in preschoolers: Results from the CHILD birth cohort study. PLoS One, 14(1), e0213995. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0213995
3. American Academy of Pediatrics. Media and young children. Pediatrics. 2016;138(5):e20162591. doi:10.1542/peds.2016-2591