Screens are part of everyday life for most children, from schoolwork and games to texting and social media. Parents often hear that too much screen time is harmful. New research suggests the answer may be more complicated than simply counting hours.
Two studies published in September 2026 add to what researchers know about screen time and child development, as well as the potential relationship between smartphone ownership and eating disorder symptoms.
Together, the studies point to questions beyond simply how much time children spend on screens, focusing instead what they do and see online, which activities screen time may replace and when they are ready for a smartphone.
This article explores what the studies found and what the findings may mean for children and families.
What Does the Research Say About Screen Time and Child Development?
The first study, published in JAMA Pediatrics, looked at findings from 23 meta-analyses involving more than 2.8 million children and teens across 64 countries. Called an umbrella review, the study brought together results from these meta-analyses, each of which combines findings from individual studies, to look at the broader relationship between screen-based media use and children’s health and development.
According to the review, greater screen-based media use was associated with:
- Lower overall academic achievement
- Lower language skills
- More emotional problems
- More internalizing problems, such as anxiety, depression and withdrawal
- More externalizing behavior problems, such as acting out or breaking rules
- More peer problems
Social media use was specifically associated with more internalizing problems. The strength of the associations varied by type of screen use and by the child’s age.
Most of the associations were relatively small, “but small does not mean meaningless,” one of the authors told CNN. More concerning were the links between screen time and emotional and peer problems.
Is Having a Smartphone at Age 12 Linked to Eating Disorder Symptoms?
The second study, published in JAMA Network Open, looked at whether personal smartphone ownership at age 12 was associated with eating disorder symptoms during early adolescence. It included 8,957 U.S. adolescents from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study. Nearly 70 percent had their own smartphone at age 12.
Researchers looked at eating disorder symptoms including binge eating, behaviors used to prevent weight gain, worry about weight gain and tying self-worth to weight.
At age 12, those who owned a smartphone were more likely to report binge eating, tying their self-worth to weight and having at least one eating disorder symptom. Two years later, they were also more likely to report binge eating, behaviors used to prevent weight gain, tying self-worth to weight and having at least one eating disorder symptom.
The study found an association between smartphone ownership and these symptoms. It did not show that having a smartphone caused eating disorder symptoms.
What Might Explain the Link?
Researchers do not yet know why early smartphone ownership might be associated with eating disorder symptoms. Possible factors include:
- Exposure to appearance-focused or idealized images
- Comparing oneself with others online
- Exposure to content and online communities promoting disordered-eating
- Effects on sleep and daily routines leading to appetite and emotional dysregulation
- The private, personalized nature of smartphone access
Early adolescence may also be an important factor.
Children in this stage of development are already at increased risk for eating disorders. They are becoming more independent and more aware of peer opinions, appearance and social acceptance at a time when they also may have more difficulty regulating emotions and may be more likely to use less effective coping strategies. Having a personal smartphone can increase their exposure to online content and social interactions during this period, potentially exposing them to pressures that affect how they view themselves and their bodies.
Previously published analyses from this data set also found that each additional hour of screen time and social media use were associated with higher odds of compensatory behaviors, binge eating symptoms and self-worth related to weight.
What Parents Can Look at Besides Screen Time Hours
Together, these studies offer new insights into screen time and child development, suggesting that what children do and see on screens, what screen use may replace and when they get access to personal devices may matter alongside the number of hours they spend on them.
While the research does not provide a number of hours that is safe or unsafe for every child, and neither study shows that screen use or smartphone ownership directly causes the outcomes studied, both identify patterns that can help parents think about their children’s screen use more broadly.
For parents, here are a few things to consider:
- What is my child doing? Watching an educational video, playing a game with friends and scrolling through appearance-focused social media are different experiences. The first study found that associations varied depending on the type of screen-based media use.
- What is screen use replacing? Screens can take time from sleep, physical activity, schoolwork, hobbies and time with family and friends. Changes in access to a phone can also affect some children differently, particularly if they are used to frequent or constant access.
- How old was my child when they got a smartphone? The second study found an association between smartphone ownership at age 12 and eating disorder symptoms, but it did not establish that owning a phone at that age caused these symptoms. The relationship between early smartphone access and children’s health warrants further study.
- Has anything changed? Changes in mood, sleep, eating habits, school performance or friendships are worth noticing, especially alongside changes in screen use. They do not mean screens are the cause, but they are a reason to check in with your child. If you are concerned, your child’s pediatrician can help decide whether further evaluation is needed.
Frequently Asked Questions About Screen Time
What does “screen time” include?
Screen time can include many different activities, such as watching TV or videos, playing video games, using social media, browsing the internet, texting and using smartphones or other digital devices.
Is it all bad? Are there benefits to screen time for kids?
Not all screen use is the same. Screens can support learning, creativity, communication and social connection, so understanding the relationship between screen time and child development means looking at what children do online, what they are exposed to and how screen use fits into their daily lives.
What should parents do if they are concerned about their child’s screen use?
Start by looking at how screen use fits into your child’s daily life. Consider whether it is affecting sleep, physical activity, schoolwork, relationships, eating habits or other activities. If you notice concerning changes or have questions about your child’s screen use, talk with your child’s pediatrician or mental health professional.
What Parents Should Know
The studies do not provide a simple answer about how much screen time is too much or whether smartphones are harmful for children. Instead, they highlight the importance of looking at the bigger picture — including what children are doing and seeing on screens, what screen use may replace and how personal devices fit into their daily lives.
For parents, paying attention to these factors can provide a more useful picture of how screen use may be affecting their child’s health and well-being than counting hours alone.
