Is watching television really detrimental to the executive functions of young children? Results from eye-tracking experiments

Abstract Several studies have investigated the immediate impact of viewing fantastical television (TV) programs on children's cognitive function, however, the results have been inconsistent. This study experimentally investigates the immediate impact of TV content (fantasy vs. realistic) on the executive functions (EFs), specifically visual attention and inhibitory control, of 65 children aged 5–7. Children were randomly assigned to view either fantasy or realistic programs, and their EFs were assessed with eye-tracking pro/anti-saccade tasks before and after viewing the program. The results showed no significant impact of fantastical content on inhibitory control or visual attention after controlling for age, screen time habits, and EF-related difficulties. The null effects may be attributed to methodological factors (e.g., the use of anti-saccade tasks and a simple gap paradigm), the relatively older age of participants, cultural context, and the brief exposure duration. These findings emphasize the complex nature of media effects on cognition and highlight the importance of task selection and cross-cultural considerations in future research.