Assessing the Impact of Screen Time on the Motor Development of Children: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Screen time, defined as the amount of time spent engaging with electronic screens, has become inevitable in modern life. The rise in screen time among children under 5 years old has raised concerns about its association with motor development including gross and fine motor skills. Conflicting evidence on the association of screen time requires more investigation and the planning of targeted interventions. This systematic review aims to explore the relationship between screen time and motor development in children aged 0–7 years, considering various influencing factors like screen type, exposure duration, and context. Following preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) and assessing the methodological quality of systematic reviews (AMSTAR) guidelines, a literature search was conducted in May 2024 in databases including PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and ScienceDirect. Eligible studies were observational or experimental, involved children aged 0–7 years, and assessed the outcomes between screen time and motor development. The quality of the included studies was assessed through Joanna Briggs Institute's (JBI) critical appraisal checklist. Out of 1490 records initially identified, 24 studies met the inclusion criteria for this review. Among these, 17 studies reported a significant negative correlation between screen time and motor development in children, while 5 studies found no statistically significant association. Two studies presented mixed findings, indicating both negative and positive associations between screen time and motor development. Excessive screen time in early childhood is mainly linked to negative effects on motor development. The association varies with screen content and environment, highlighting the need for balanced screen time and early interventions.

Keywords

children / motor development / motor skills / screen time / sedentary behavior

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