Increased Screen Time Linked to Low Self-Esteem, Anxiety and Aggression in Kids, Study Fin

A large international study has found a strong connection between increased screen time and kids’ emotional well-being, raising concerns about the amount of time kids spend in front of digital devices.

Researchers analyzed data from nearly 300,000 children under the age of 10, using 117 long-term studies conducted between 1972 and 2024. They found that the more time children spent using screens, such as watching TV, playing video games, or using tablets and computers, the more likely they were to show signs of emotional or social problems as they grew up.

Those problems included feeling anxious, becoming easily frustrated, or having low confidence. The research also showed the connection works in both directions. Children who already struggled with emotions or had trouble connecting with others were more likely to spend excessive time on screens.

Gaming showed stronger links than other screen time

The findings were published Monday in the Psychological Bulletin, one of the leading journals in the field. According to the researchers, screen time linked to video games showed a stronger relationship with emotional issues than other types of screen use.

Kids facing behavioral issues are caught in a screen time cycle.

Increased screen usage might heighten social and emotional problems in children.
In distress, many children turn to screens for comfort, potentially worsening the issue.

This complex interaction… pic.twitter.com/NjJSMo7WRO

— Thomas MORE (@ThomaMore) June 9, 2025

“Some studies broke the games down by whether they were violent, but our interpretation was that most parents knew to limit the amount of violent content to give kids under 10,” said Dr. Michael Noetel, one of the study’s authors and a psychology professor at The University of Queensland in Australia.

Dr. Noetel explained that the study did not focus on specific games. Instead, it examined broad categories like console games, computer games, and mobile games. He noted that most parents with young children already avoid games with violent content, so the results mainly reflect overall gaming time rather than specific types of games.

Screen limits recommended by pediatric experts

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children between the ages of 2 and 5 have no more than one hour of recreational screen time on weekdays and up to three hours on weekends. The study found that children who exceeded these guidelines were more likely to face social and emotional difficulties than those who remained within the limits.

“More than 40% of kids [ages] 8 to 12 are using screens for more than four hours per day,” said Dr. Tara Narula, chief medical correspondent for ABC News, during an appearance Tuesday on Good Morning America.

“You add to that the fact that we are seeing rising rates of mental health disorders in kids, and half of these disorders start before the age of 14—you can understand why we need to understand the effects of screens on our kids.”

Experts urge balance, not a total ban on screens

Experts emphasized that the goal isn’t to ban screen use entirely. Instead, they advise moderation. When used in healthy amounts, especially for learning or positive interaction, screen time doesn’t appear to cause harm.

Researchers also emphasized the importance of ensuring that screen use does not interfere with essential needs such as sleep, physical activity, and face-to-face interactions. The study stated that children should not just rely on screens for managing stress or emotions.

“We’ve all been guilty of it, but it’s OK to say no and to set limits and boundaries, and do it in a noncontrolling way as a parent, if you can,” Dr. Narula added. Parents can set boundaries in a calm and caring way, which can make all the difference.