Story perspectives

Early Screen Time Linked to Anxiety and Slower Decisions

12/31/2025

Summary

Story summary

The A*STAR Institute study links high screen exposure before age two to accelerated brain maturation.
It ties early screen time to slower decision-making and higher anxiety in adolescence.
Researchers tracked 168 children over a decade and observed longer decision times at age eight and anxiety by age thirteen.
Frequent parent-child reading at age three mitigated these effects and underscores the need for guidelines on screen time for young children.

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Story summary

The A*STAR Institute study links high screen exposure before age two to accelerated brain maturation.
It ties early screen time to slower decision-making and higher anxiety in adolescence.
Researchers tracked 168 children over a decade and observed longer decision times at age eight and anxiety by age thirteen.
Frequent parent-child reading at age three mitigated these effects and underscores the need for guidelines on screen time for young children.