New ad hoc report on Screen time and Educational Outcomes is out!

The rise of modern technology has made screen use a daily necessity, exposing even young children to screens and making smartphones ubiquitous among adolescents. Recognising the growing relevance of this phenomenon, DG EAC requested a literature review to explore the relationship between screen time and academic achievement in children and adolescents. The ad hoc report, Screen Time and Educational Outcomes of Children and Adolescents: A Complex, Multifaceted Relationship, authored by Katharina Nett, addresses this concern.

The literature review identifies several possible mechanisms linking high screen time with changes in brain development and functioning in vulnerable developmental periods, changes in executive functioning, loss of sleep and decreased psychological well-being and mental health, which in turn may negatively affect academic performance. Moreover, studies also emphasise that variations lie in the purpose and quantity of screen use and the mediating and moderating factors. Lastly, longitudinal studies highlight that screen time’s impact on academic success is indirect, mediated by cognitive control, emotion dysregulation, and socioeconomic status.

The author discusses the importance of considering the nuances of screen time use regarding its quality and beyond its quantity, and provides recommendations for policymakers and educational institutions are elaborated.  

We invite all NESET members, policy makers and education practitioners to read the report findings and recommendations HERE.