Preschooler screen time and temperamental anger/frustration during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Background In the context of increased media use and family distress during the pandemic, we examine whether preschooler screen time at age 3.5 contributes to later expressions of anger/frustration at 4.5, while also considering the inverse association. Methods Data are from a cohort of 315 Canadian preschool-aged children during the COVID-19 pandemic. Parent-reported measures included child h/day of screen time and child temperamental anger/frustration, both measured at 3.5 and 4.5 years of age. Indicators of family distress include use of childcare and child sleep, family income, parenting stress, and parent education, marital and employment status. We also consider child sex as a control variable. Results A crossed-lagged panel model revealed continuity in screen time between the ages of 3.5 and 4.5 ( ß = 0.68) and temperamental anger/frustration from 3.5 to 4.5 ( ß = 0.60). Child screen time at age 3.5 predicted increased proneness to anger/frustration at age 4.5 ( ß = 0.14). Anger/frustration at age 3.5 did not predict screen time at age 4.5. Conclusion Our results suggest that preschooler screen time during the pandemic may have undermined the ability to regulate negative emotions, a key component of social and academic competence. Supporting parents in implementing healthy media habits post pandemic may benefit young children’s development. Impact Key message: this study observes prospective bidirectional associations between preschoolers screen time and temperamental displays of anger or frustration during the COVID-19 pandemic. What does it add: we provide evidence that preschool screen time at age 3.5 prospectively contributes to the tendency to react in anger/frustration at age 4.5. In contrast, greater proneness to anger/frustration did not predict later exposure to screen time. What is the impact: health practitioners should enquire about media use habits during well-child visits to foster children’s healthy development during the preschool years.

Infant screen media and child development: A prospective community study

“…However, the association between screen media and a child's temperament is likely to be bidirectional. While parents are likely to expose more difficult infants and toddlers to more screen time to regulate children's behavior (Radesky et al., 2016), excessive screen time has also negative effects on a child's emotional regulation (Fitzpatrick et al., 2022, 2023). For example, Fitzpatrick et al.…”

“…For example, Fitzpatrick et al. (2022, 2023) who studied preschoolers' screen use during the COVID‐19 pandemic found that children's screen time at age 3.5 years predicted increased proneness to anger/frustration and decreased effortful control at age 4.5 years. Another possible explanation for our findings is that the association between screen time and a child's temperament is explained by other sociocultural factors, such as rules around screen time, parenting style, and parenting stress (Leppänen et al., 2020; Shin et al., 2021).…”

“…However, the association between screen media and a child's temperament is likely to be bidirectional. While parents are likely to expose more difficult infants and toddlers to more screen time to regulate children's behavior (Radesky et al, 2016), excessive screen time has also negative effects on a child's emotional regulation (Fitzpatrick et al, 2022(Fitzpatrick et al, , 2023. For example, Fitzpatrick et al (2022Fitzpatrick et al ( , 2023 who studied preschoolers' screen use during the COVID-19 pandemic found that children's screen time at age 3.5 years predicted increased proneness to anger/frustration and decreased effortful control at age 4.5 years.…”

“…While parents are likely to expose more difficult infants and toddlers to more screen time to regulate children's behavior (Radesky et al, 2016), excessive screen time has also negative effects on a child's emotional regulation (Fitzpatrick et al, 2022(Fitzpatrick et al, , 2023. For example, Fitzpatrick et al (2022Fitzpatrick et al ( , 2023 who studied preschoolers' screen use during the COVID-19 pandemic found that children's screen time at age 3.5 years predicted increased proneness to anger/frustration and decreased effortful control at age 4.5 years. Another possible explanation for our findings is that the association between screen time and a child's temperament is explained by other sociocultural factors, such as rules around screen time, parenting style, and parenting stress (Leppänen et al, 2020;Shin et al, 2021).…”

Promoting healthy screen use in children with externalizing behavior

“…Research examining young children's screen media use and externalizing behavior problems is complex but suggests that screen media use and children's behavior are linked in important and potentially bidirectional ways (Cliff et al., 2018; Radesky et al., 2023). Much of the research has examined duration of exposure to screen media ( screen time ), with studies finding significant links between screen time and subsequent externalizing behavior problems (for reviews, see Eirich et al., 2022, Li et al., 2020; see also Fitzpatrick et al., 2023; McNeill et al., 2019; Parkes et al., 2013; Poulain et al., 2018), though some findings are mixed (Neville et al., 2021; Peralta et al., 2018). Theoretically, exposure to screen media in early childhood may displace enriching and positive interactions and activities and result in fewer opportunities for young children to develop and practice self‐regulation and self‐soothing (the displacement hypothesis; e.g., Hornik, 1981), which may manifest in increased behavioral difficulties.…”