Determinants of screen time and health consequences in children and adolescents: lessons from a cohort study following the COVID-19 pandemic

Viviane Richard, Elsa Lorthe, Roxane Dumont, Andrea Loizeau, Hélène Baysson, María-Eugenia Zaballa, Julien Lamour, Mayssam Nehme, Rémy P. Barbe, Klara M. Posfay-Barbe, Idris Guessous*, Silvia Stringhini*, for the SEROCoV-KIDS study group. *These authors contributed equally to this manuscript.
Determinants and health-related consequences of screen time in children and adolescents: post-COVID-19 insights from a prospective cohort study, Swiss Medical Weekly, June 2025, doi.org/10.57187/s.4247

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to estimate the age-specific prevalence of screen time in children and adolescents, to identify its sociodemographic and family determinants, and to assess its impact on physical and psychosocial health.

Methods: The data come from the prospective SEROCoV-KIDS cohort, which includes randomly selected children living in Geneva (Switzerland). Daily screen time, as well as socio-demographic and family characteristics, were collected at study inclusion (December 2021 - June 2022). Physical and psychosocial health indicators were measured at follow-up one year later.

Results: Among 674 children (aged 2-8), 752 preadolescents (aged 9-13) and 434 adolescents (aged 14-17), the median daily screen time was 29 minutes, 1h14 and 3h18 respectively. A lower level of parental education and less favourable parental practices were associated with higher screen time in all age groups. Among children only, poor parental mental health (+14 minutes/day; 95% CI: 2-27) and work-family conflict (+6 minutes/day; 95% CI: 2-10) were associated with increased screen time. After adjustment, high levels of screen time were associated with a greater likelihood of low physical, emotional and academic quality of life in pre-adolescents and adolescents, and with social difficulties in adolescents, one year later.

Conclusion: Almost all children use screens, but those from socially disadvantaged backgrounds and from families with tensions present an increased risk of prolonged screen time. The health consequences highlighted underline the need for close monitoring.

Link to the article in English