A longitudinal analysis of screen time and executive function in young children

With screen media usage increasingly prevalent in early childhood, understanding its impact on development is critical. This study examined screen time and executive function (EF) in young Taiwanese Chinese children at ages 3 years ( N = 2037; 991 girls and 1046 boys), 4 years ( N = 1785; 868 girls and 917 boys), and 5 years old ( N = 1749; 842 girls and 907 boys). Cross-lagged analyses indicated that greater screen time at one age point predicted lower EF one year later from ages 3 to 5 years (−0.06 ≤ βs ≤ −0.05), whereas EF did not significantly predict later screen time. Parental involvement and family socioeconomic status were consistently associated with less screen time and higher EF. These findings suggest a unidirectional association in which higher screen media use may modestly hinder EF development in early childhood and underscore the potential protective role of parental involvement. • From 3 to 5 years, screen time negatively predicts children's executive function. • Children's executive function does not predict their later screen time in turn. • Higher parental involvement is associated with less screen time from 3 to 5 years. • Higher parental involvement is also associated with better executive function.