Children who spend more time using digital screens perform better on cognitive tests in adolescence, according to an eight-year study by Finnish researchers.
The research, published in the journal Pediatric Exercise Science and reported by business outlet Inc, followed 260 children from ages six to nine into their teenage years. Scientists tracked participants' physical activity levels, sedentary habits, and overall screen time across the eight-year period before evaluating their learning capacity, attention span, and working memory in adolescence.
The central finding of the study showed that higher total screen time accumulated from early childhood through adolescence correlated directly with improved scores on cognitive assessments. Petri Jalanko, the lead author of the study, stated that the research team was particularly surprised to discover that greater cumulative screen exposure over those developmental years was linked to superior cognitive test results in teenagers.
Screen time and child cognition
The researchers stressed that the findings should not be interpreted as an encouragement for children to spend unlimited hours on smartphones, tablets, or computers. Instead, the team explained that the specific nature of screen activity is the decisive factor. Screen exposure itself cannot be branded as strictly harmful, as the cognitive impact depends heavily on what children view and do while engaging with digital devices.
Experts advised parents and educators to direct children toward digital devices for educational activities, creative projects, problem solving, and tasks that require active mental engagement. Rather than discarding screen limits entirely, scientists emphasized that digital interaction should form one component of a balanced lifestyle.
Pediatric Exercise Science is a peer-reviewed academic journal that publishes clinical research on motor development, physical fitness, and health in young people. Educational and health institutions in Finland are widely recognized for conducting long-term cohort studies that track childhood development across multi-year periods.
Gender differences in physical activity
The investigation also revealed notable gender differences in how childhood physical activity influences adolescent brain function. For girls, higher levels of low-intensity physical activity during childhood were associated with better working memory performance in adolescence. For boys, a similar cognitive benefit was observed among those who engaged in higher amounts of instructor-led physical activity.
The study yielded a further unexpected result regarding unsupervised movement. Children who engaged in lower amounts of independent physical activity during adolescence sometimes achieved higher cognitive test scores. The researchers noted that this finding ran counter to their initial hypotheses and stated that further study is required to understand the underlying causes.
Working memory and attention are fundamental components of executive function, which governs how the human brain retains temporary information and focuses on complex tasks. Cognitive tests assessing working memory are standard tools in developmental pediatrics for measuring learning capacity and intellectual growth.
Maintaining a balanced lifestyle
To ensure healthy development, specialists recommend maintaining a steady balance between digital tasks, regular physical exercise, proper nutrition, and adequate sleep. The researchers concluded that the most effective strategy for families is not to enforce an outright ban on gadgets, but to pay close attention to how children use screen time and how digital activities fit into their daily routines.
