DIGITAL SCREEN EXPOSURE AND MENTAL HEALTH OUTCOMES IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS: A NARRATIVE REVIEW
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31435/ijitss.1(49).2026.5220Keywords:
Digital Screen Exposure, Screen Time, Children and Adolescents, Mental Health, Sleep Disturbances, Depression and Anxiety, Digital MediaAbstract
Background: The rapid expansion of digital technologies has substantially increased screen exposure among children worldwide. Smartphones, tablets, computers, and other electronic devices have become integral components of daily life, influencing both educational activities and leisure behaviors. Although digital technologies offer numerous benefits, excessive screen exposure has been increasingly associated with adverse mental health outcomes in pediatric populations. Growing evidence suggests that prolonged screen time may contribute to sleep disturbances, emotional dysregulation, attention difficulties, and symptoms of anxiety and depression, positioning excessive digital media use as an emerging public health concern.
Aim: The aim of this study was to review current scientific evidence regarding the association between digital screen exposure and mental health outcomes in children and to assess its relevance as a growing public health challenge.
Methods: A structured narrative review of the literature was conducted using electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Studies published between 2009 and 2025 examining associations between screen exposure and mental health outcomes in children and adolescents were included. Studies focusing exclusively on adult populations were excluded.
Results: The reviewed evidence indicates that excessive digital screen exposure is associated with an increased risk of sleep disturbances, depressive symptoms, anxiety, and attention problems. Emerging evidence also suggests potential effects on emotional regulation and cognitive functioning. However, moderate and contextually appropriate use of digital technologies may provide educational and social benefits.
Conclusions: Excessive digital screen exposure may negatively influence mental health in children and represents an important public health concern. Promoting balanced and developmentally appropriate patterns of digital media use may help mitigate potential risks. Further longitudinal research is required to clarify causal relationships and to establish evidence-based recommendations for safe screen exposure in pediatric populations.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Anna Krzysztofik, Weronika Napierała, Karolina Julia Hak, Jeremi Leon Jasiński, Karolina Magda Leszczyńska, Alicja Maria Mitan, Kamila Teresa Kańska, Karolina Krawczyk, Maciej Tomasz Wieczorek, Aleksandra Maria Tomaszewska
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