Screen Media Use and Mental Health of Children and Adolescents
This secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial found that a short-term reduction in leisure-time screen media use within families positively affected psychological symptoms of children and adolescents, particularly by mitigating internalizing behavioral issues and enhancing prosocial behavior.
Abstract
Key Points Question Does reducing leisure-time screen media use improve mental health among children and adolescents? Findings In this prespecified secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial including 89 families (181 children and adolescents), reducing screen media use had an overall positive effect on children’s and adolescents’ behavioral difficulties. The most noticeable benefits associated with reduced screen media use was a decrease in internalizing behavioral issues and enhanced positive social interactions. Meaning The findings provide evidence for a causal link between a short-term reduction in screen media use during leisure and improvements in children’s and adolescents’ psychological symptoms.