Effects of screen´s use on executive functions from the perception of parents and children: A case study in the age group 9 to 16 years old in Asunción, Paraguay, 2024-2025

The study titled "Families' Perception of the Psychological Effects of Screen Use During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Post-Pandemic in Children Aged 4 to 12 Years"1 led to this follow-up research. This investigation involves educators observing behavioral changes in children aged 9 to 16, specifically focusing on limitations in executive functions. The paper compares responses from children, adolescents, and their parents regarding these executive functions during psychological and psychopedagogical evaluations conducted in Asunción, Paraguay, during the 2024-2025 period. A sample of 30 children, consisting of 14 boys and 16 girls, was examined. The research focused on essential problem-solving skills such as motor skills, inhibition, cognitive flexibility, emotional control, planning, material organization, initiative, and working memory. Many children and adolescents displayed behavioral dysregulation and symptoms of attention deficit disorder, with difficulties in inhibiting hyperactivity and impulsivity. Others demonstrated apathy, lack of motivation, and reduced initiative. Previous research indicates that executive functions are often impaired in various neurological and psychopathological conditions, leading to behavioral challenges that affect social interactions, language development, and learning processes.