Interplay between children’s screen exposure and executive function: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Screen exposure, encompassing interactions with electronic media, is central to modern childhood. Executive function in childhood is essential for later cognitive abilities, yet research on screen exposure’s impact yields mixed results. This meta-analysis explores factors moderating the link between screen exposure and executive function development. This meta-analysis synthesized findings from 87 studies, encompassing 154 datasets. The analysis was performed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA 3.0) and R (Version 4.5.2), with Pearson’s correlation coefficient as the standardized effect size metric. The findings reveal the following: (1) Screen exposure shows a weak negative correlation with executive function. (2) Absolute screen time had no predictive effect, but exceeding recommended thresholds significantly impaired executive function. (3) Passive viewing had a significant negative effect, whereas active-interactive use did not. (4) Gender moderated the relationship with weaker negative effects in girls, while age and maternal education showed no effects. This study provides quantitative insights into the nuanced effects of screen exposure on executive function. Practical applications should consider contextual factors and family factors that shape this relationship.