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Screen media use and ADHD-related behaviors: Four decades of research

Author

Listed:
  • Ine Beyens

    (Amsterdam School of Communication Research, University of Amsterdam, 1001 NG Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

  • Patti M. Valkenburg

    (Amsterdam School of Communication Research, University of Amsterdam, 1001 NG Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

  • Jessica Taylor Piotrowski

    (Amsterdam School of Communication Research, University of Amsterdam, 1001 NG Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

Abstract

The diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among children and adolescents has increased considerably over the past decades. Scholars and health professionals alike have expressed concern about the role of screen media in the rise in ADHD diagnosis. However, the extent to which screen media use and ADHD are linked remains a point of debate. To understand the current state of the field and, ultimately, move the field forward, we provide a systematic review of the literature on the relationship between children and adolescents’ screen media use and ADHD-related behaviors (i.e., attention problems, hyperactivity, and impulsivity). Using the Differential Susceptibility to Media effects Model as a theoretical lens, we systematically organize the existing literature, identify potential shortcomings in this literature, and provide directions for future research. The available evidence suggests a statistically small relationship between media and ADHD-related behaviors. Evidence also suggests that individual child differences, such as gender and trait aggression, may moderate this relationship. There is a clear need for future research that investigates causality, underlying mechanisms, and differential susceptibility to the effects of screen media use on ADHD-related behaviors. It is only through a richer empirical body that we will be able to fully understand the media–ADHD relationship.

Suggested Citation

  • Ine Beyens & Patti M. Valkenburg & Jessica Taylor Piotrowski, 2018. "Screen media use and ADHD-related behaviors: Four decades of research," Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, vol. 115(40), pages 9875-9881, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:nas:journl:v:115:y:2018:p:9875-9881
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Tomás Cano & Pablo Gracia, 2022. "The Gendered Effects of Divorce on Mothers’ and Fathers’ Time with Children and Children’s Developmental Activities: A Longitudinal Study," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 38(5), pages 1277-1313, December.
    2. Veronika Konok & Rebeka Szőke, 2022. "Longitudinal Associations of Children’s Hyperactivity/Inattention, Peer Relationship Problems and Mobile Device Use," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-18, July.
    3. Liheng Fan & Meng Lu & Xiuxiu Qi & Jie Xin, 2022. "Do Animations Impair Executive Function in Young Children? Effects of Animation Types on the Executive Function of Children Aged Four to Seven Years," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-11, July.
    4. Tanja Poulain & Juliane Ludwig & Andreas Hiemisch & Anja Hilbert & Wieland Kiess, 2019. "Media Use of Mothers, Media Use of Children, and Parent–Child Interaction Are Related to Behavioral Difficulties and Strengths of Children," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-13, November.
    5. Liheng Fan & Meichen Zhan & Wenjing Qing & Tan Gao & Mengying Wang, 2021. "The Short-Term Impact of Animation on the Executive Function of Children Aged 4 to 7," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-12, August.

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