Screen Media Use and Academic Performance Among Children and Adolescents

Investigators from institutions in multiple countries conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the association between academic performance and screen use (including television viewing, Internet surfing, video games, and mobile phone usage). The authors used a systematic methodology to identify relevant, published, cross-sectional studies that included children 4–18 years old; measured screen use by time or frequency; and assessed the association between screen use and academic performance as measured by grades, standardized tests, academic failure, or self-report on school performance. Data from studies included in the meta-analysis were used to assess the statistical association with academic performance. Outcomes for the statistical analyses included mathematics and language academic performance and a composite academic performance score. Analyses limited to children (4–11.9 years …