Children's brains shaped by their time on tech devices

The evidence review, published today in the peer-reviewed journal Early Education and Development, is an analysis of 33 studies which use neuroimaging technology to measure the impact of digital technology on the brains of children under the age of 12. In total, more than 30,000 participants are included.

In particular, the research finds screen time leads to changes in the pre-frontal cortex of the brain, which is the base of executive functions such as working memory and the ability to plan or to respond flexibly to situations. It also finds impacts on the parietal lobe, which helps us to process touch, pressure, heat, cold, and pain;the temporal lobe, which is important for memory, hearing and language; and the occipital lobe, which helps us to interpret visual information.

Reference: Children’s brains shaped by their time on tech devices, research to-date shows; Early Education and Development, DOI: 10.1080/10409289.2023.2278117.