Re-examining links between screen time, health behaviors, and executive functioning: Validating an objective measure of screen exposure in a sample of young children

Univ Of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill NC

Investigators

Abstract

Project Summary Researchers argue that the detrimental impact of screen exposure on young children’s development may depend on the amount of exposure, the type of programming, and the context of use, yet few studies have attempted to measure each of these variables using naturalistic, observational, and objective methods. Although extant findings reveal mostly negative associations between screen exposure and outcomes for very young children across cognitive and socio-emotional domains, the findings have been mixed for school-aged children. To date, all studies in this area are based on parent report or time-use diaries, which have well- recognized limitations. No study has used an objective measure of screen exposure across viewing platforms (i.e., TVs, touch screens, smart phones and computers) in children. Thus, mixed findings in the literature may be due to measurement issues. Additional research is needed to systematically examine potential adverse relations between children’s screen exposure and developmental outcomes. In this proposal, we will validate a novel and objective measure of screen exposure that will assess quantity and quality of screen exposure using a small wearable camera that has been designed by members of our investigative team (R21 HD104164). Images will be automatically analyzed for the type of screen and amount of screen exposure using artificial intelligence algorithms that have been developed by our team. Moreover, we will characterize specific contextual features surrounding children’s screen exposure such as (a) parental presence and involvement during screen exposure and (b) whether the programming is continuous or changing. In addition, this study will be the first to systematically investigate relationships between children’s screen exposure, their sleep hygiene, and their physical activity using objective measurements of each of these variables in the child’s home environment. Finally, we will look at associations between quantity and quality of screen use and individual differences in executive functioning in the same sample of young children. Participants (n = 230 parent–child dyads) will be drawn from a prospective longitudinal cohort study funded by NICHD (Brain and Early Experience Study; R01 HD091148); they will be seen one time at 4.5 years of age for an executive functioning assessment. Families will be provided with devices to measure screen exposure, physical activity, and sleep in their homes for the following week. Results from this proposed work will validate the use of our wearable camera as the first objective measure of screen exposure in children and will provide necessary data for a future R01 proposal to investigate the impact of early screen exposure on the development of neural networks that are important for executive functions and academic potential in children.