Vol. 10, Issue 7, Part C (2024)

Abstract
This longitudinal study explores the impact of excessive screen time on cognitive and emotional development in children aged 2-6, utilizing data from a cohort of 15,965 children in the SCHEDULE-P study conducted in Shanghai, China. The analysis reveals significant shifts in screen exposure patterns over time. At age 3, 45.0% (95% CI, 43.5%-46.5%) of children engaged with educational screen content, which declined to 26.8% (95% CI, 25.3%-28.3%) by age 6. Conversely, social media exposure increased dramatically from 1.5% (95% CI, 1.2%-1.9%) at age 3 to 27.1% (95% CI, 25.5%-28.7%) at age 6, while entertainment content dropped from 44.4% (95% CI, 42.8%-45.9%) to 32.1% (95% CI, 30.4%-33.9%). Statistical analysis using logistic regression identified a notable association between non-child-directed content (e.g., social media and adult entertainment) and heightened mental health risks, with an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) of 2.82 (95% CI, 1.91-4.18), suggesting adverse effects on emotional regulation, such as increased anxiety and hyperactivity. In contrast, educational content was linked to a reduced risk (AOR 0.73, 95% CI, 0.60-0.90). A comprehensive table details these exposure trends across ages, and a proposed bar graph visually represents the AORs for different content types, highlighting the escalating risks of non-age-appropriate media. These findings emphasize the critical need to limit screen time to under 60 minutes daily, as recommended by World Health Organization guidelines, to safeguard cognitive development (e.g., attention, memory) and emotional well-being in young children.