Early screen habits may alter brain and mood, study finds

Getty/MARIA GARCIA

By Olivia Bowthorpe

Excessive screen time in late childhood has been linked to depression in early adolescence, according to a US study.

Researchers from University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine found US study, published in JAMA Pediatrics, found the association was partly mediated by sleep and brain changes, suggesting an underlying biological mechanism.¹

Dr Joao Lima Santos, research instructor in psychiatry at the university, reported: "These findings emphasise the importance of promoting healthy habits and balancing screen time with adequate sleep."

The team examined the possible links using data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study. It included clinical tests and neuroimages taken from from 976 children aged 9 to 10 years, and again at 11 to 13.

Screen time and sleep duration were assessed by questionnaire, and depressive symptoms by the Child Behavior Checklist, which was completed by parents.

Three white matter tracts known to play a role in depression – the cingulum bundle, forceps minor, and uncinate fasciculus – were evaluated in the brain scans.