Association of screen time with behavioral problems in school-going children

ABSTRACT Background: The growing prevalence of screen-based multimedia device use among young children has raised concerns about potential impacts on mental health. However, evidence regarding its association with psychiatric comorbidities in children and adolescents remains limited. This study aims to examine the relationship between screen time and psychiatric comorbidities in children aged 8–12 years. Aim: To investigate the association between screen time and psychiatric comorbidities in school-going preadolescents. Materials and Methods: Three hundred students from English-medium public schools in a metropolitan city were assessed using a sociodemographic proforma, screen time questionnaire, and the Child Behavior Checklist. Non-normally distributed quantitative variables were analyzed using the Kruskal–Wallis test. Results: Among the 300 children aged 8–12 years, increased screen time was significantly associated with externalizing disorders, including ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder, and conduct disorder (all P < 0.0001). Elevated screen use—particularly on weekends and in total daily duration—strongly correlated with these conditions. No significant associations were found with anxiety ( P = 0.624) or somatic symptoms ( P = 0.775); however, weekend screen time was significantly linked to depressive symptoms ( P = 0.006). Conclusion: Excessive screen time in preadolescents is linked to increased externalizing behaviors, such as ADHD and conduct disorders, while extended weekend viewing is associated with depressive symptoms. These findings underscore the importance of monitoring screen use and highlight the need for further research to understand these associations better.