SCREEN TIME AND SOMATIC HEALTH IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS: A NARRATIVE LITERATURE REVIEW

Background: Digital screen exposure has become an integral part of childhood and adolescence, raising increasing concerns regarding its potential effects on physical health. Although screen use offers substantial educational, social, and recreational benefits, prolonged or poorly timed exposure may coexist with behaviours associated with adverse somatic outcomes. Objective: This narrative review examines the current evidence concerning associations between screen exposure and major domains of somatic health in children and adolescents, with particular emphasis on obesity and metabolic health, sleep and circadian function, ocular health, musculoskeletal symptoms, headache, physical activity, and fitness. Methods: Relevant systematic reviews, meta-analyses, longitudinal studies, and randomized controlled trials examining screen exposure and physical health outcomes in children and adolescents were reviewed. Particular attention was given to potential mechanisms, differences between types of screen use, and methodological limitations affecting causal interpretation. Results: Higher screen exposure is consistently associated with several adverse health outcomes, including greater adiposity, shorter and poorer-quality sleep, digital eye strain, and an increased risk of myopia. Associations with musculoskeletal pain and headache have also been reported, although evidence is more heterogeneous. Screen exposure may additionally contribute to lower physical activity through displacement of movement and outdoor time. Potential mechanisms include behavioural displacement, sedentary behaviour, dietary changes, sleep and circadian disruption, prolonged near work, and sustained non-ergonomic postures. However, most available evidence remains observational, with substantial heterogeneity and potential confounding, reverse causation, and measurement bias. Conclusions: Screen exposure should not be considered an isolated or universally harmful determinant of health. Its effects are likely to depend on duration, timing, content, context, and the behaviours it replaces. Future research should prioritize objective exposure measures, longitudinal and experimental designs, and within-person analyses. Clinical and public health strategies should focus on maintaining a healthy balance between digital media use, sleep, physical activity, outdoor exposure, and other essential health behaviours.