What is the impact of screen time on students' academic performance?
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Screen Time and Academic Performance: Key Findings
Excessive Screen Time and Lower Academic Achievement
Multiple studies consistently show that high levels of screen time are linked to poorer academic performance among students. Spending more than 2 to 4 hours per day on screens—whether watching television, playing video games, or using computers—was associated with lower grades, reduced attention, and slower problem-solving skills in both boys and girls across various countries and age groups 125678. This negative association was observed for both passive (like TV) and active (like video games) screen activities, with some evidence suggesting the effect is slightly stronger in girls and for mentally active screen use 68.
Type of Screen Activity Matters
Not all screen activities have the same impact. Watching television and playing video games were most strongly linked to lower academic scores in language, mathematics, and overall performance, especially in children and adolescents 28. In contrast, using computers for less than one hour per day or not at all was associated with higher academic scores . Media multitasking—using two or more devices at once—was also related to worse academic achievement .
Moderate Screen Time and Academic Outcomes
Several studies found that limited screen time (about one hour or less per day) does not appear to harm academic performance. In fact, students who kept their daily screen use under this threshold tended to have better or at least not worse academic results compared to those with higher screen time 14. Meeting international recommendations for screen time (less than 2 hours per day) was associated with higher academic achievement, especially when combined with adequate physical activity and sleep .
Screen Time, Sleep, and Mental Health
Screen time, especially before bedtime, can negatively affect sleep quality, which in turn impacts academic performance. Poor sleep quality was found to mediate the relationship between high screen use at night and lower academic achievement in college students 79. Increased screen time was also linked to higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, all of which can further reduce academic performance .
Other Contributing Factors
High screen time was also associated with increased behavioral problems and higher body mass index (BMI), both of which can indirectly affect school performance . The negative effects of screen time on academics were observed regardless of gender, though the specific types of screen use varied between boys and girls .
Conclusion
Overall, the research shows that excessive screen time—especially more than 2 hours per day and involving activities like television viewing, video gaming, and media multitasking—is linked to lower academic performance in students. Limiting screen time, particularly before bedtime, and balancing it with physical activity and adequate sleep can help support better academic outcomes. Schools and parents should be aware of these associations and encourage healthy screen habits to promote students’ academic success 12356789.
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