Finnish study: children who use smart devices more often show better cognitive results as teens
An eight-year Finnish study found that children who spent more time on smart devices showed better cognitive test results as teenagers, with researchers stressing that content matters more than screen time itself.
A study by Finnish researchers challenges the common belief that more screen time in childhood automatically harms development. Scientists found that children who used smartphones, tablets and computers more frequently showed better results on cognitive tests as teenagers.
The research analyzed data from 260 children who were six to nine years old at the start of the study. Participants were followed for eight years, during which researchers tracked their physical activity, lifestyle and screen time. As teenagers, they underwent tests measuring learning ability, attention and memory.
A surprising finding
Lead author Petri Jalanko said the most surprising result was that greater overall screen time from childhood into the teenage years was linked to higher scores on cognitive tests.
Researchers emphasize, however, that it is not the amount of screen time that matters most, but the content and how a child engages with it. Parents and educators are encouraged to guide children toward using devices for learning, creativity and logical tasks rather than banning them outright, though digital activities should remain just one part of a balanced daily routine.
Differences between boys and girls
The study also found differences between the sexes in how physical activity affected outcomes. For girls, low-intensity physical activity in childhood was linked to better working memory in adolescence, while for boys a similar link appeared with regular, coach-led sports training.
Surprisingly, children who engaged less in independent, unorganized physical activity in childhood sometimes scored even higher on cognitive tests as teenagers. Researchers acknowledge this finding contradicted their initial expectations and say further research is needed to explain it.
The study's authors conclude that healthy child development requires a balance between digital use, physical activity, nutrition and adequate sleep, and recommend that parents focus on content rather than imposing outright bans on device use. The study was published in the journal "Pediatric Exercise Science."
