ArticlePediatric research2026
Early screen media multitasking associated with executive function problems in preschool-age children.
Article in Pediatric research, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
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Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed.
- Executive functions as a transdiagnostic endophenotype in developmental psychopathology.Molecular psychiatry · 2026Review
- Executive Functioning as a Mediator Between Digital Media Exposure and Communication Outcomes in Children and Adolescents.Journal of Intelligence · 2026Article
- Beyond screen time: commentary on early screen media multitasking as a developmental risk for executive function in preschoolers.Pediatric research · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundScreen media multitasking (SMM), or using ≥2 screens simultaneously, is associated with child behavioral problems, but its effects on executive function (EF) in younger children remain unclear. This study investigated the association between SMM exposure before age 3 and EF problems in children aged 3 and 4.
methodsHealthy children were followed from 6 months to 4 years, collecting data on SMM exposure (minutes for each visit, prolonged exposure in years, and time points from 6 months to 3 years), mother-child interaction, positive parenting, and cognitive development. EF was assessed at ages 3 and 4. Direct and indirect associations were analyzed using path modeling.
resultsAmong 280 participants (46.8% boys), increased SMM duration at ages 1-3 was associated with prolonged and repeated SMM exposure from 6 months to 3 years, which was correlated with EF problems and lower cognition at age 3. Positive parenting and strong mother-child interaction were associated with lower EF problems. At age 4, EF problems were associated with male sex, earlier EF problems, and lower cognition.
conclusionsGreater, prolonged, and repeated SMM exposure before age 3 was associated with EF problems in preschoolers. Reducing SMM and promoting positive parenting may help prevent early EF impairments. IMPACT: Longer durations of screen media multitasking (SMM) in minutes at ages 1, 2, and 3 were directly associated with prolonged exposure (measured in years) and repeated exposure at multiple time points from 6 months to 3 years of age. This pattern of SMM exposure was associated with higher difficulties in executive function (EF) and lower cognitive ability in preschoolers. Reducing SMM exposure and fostering strong mother-child interactions, along with positive parenting practices, may help prevent EF impairments in early childhood.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.