Development of executive functions in preschoolers with varying degrees of exposure to the digital environment

<p style="text-align: justify;">Children around the world are spending increasing amounts of time in digital environments, yet data on the impact of this factor on their development remains inconclusive. The article presents a review of research on how digital environment exposure impacts children's executive functions. Contemporary studies demonstrate that the relationship between digital technology use and the development of children's cognitive functions is more mediated and complex than previously believed, particularly regarding executive functions. Most studies indicate that increased screen time is associated with lower executive function performance. At the same time, recent studies question the direct correlation between increased screen time and reduced executive functions, underscoring the importance of assessing both the length and type of digital device usage within the context of family dynamics. Contextual factors related to the influence of children's digital environment exposure on executive functions include: family restrictions on children's digital engagement (rules and duration), parental education level, content quality, passive versus active use of digital devices, and parental mediation of children's device use.</p>