Beyond Screen Time: A Scoping Review of Screen Exposure and Early Childhood Development.
- 1Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj 11942, Saudi Arabia.
- 2Rehabilitation Department, Ministry of the National Guard-Health Affairs, Riyadh 11426, Saudi Arabia.
Abstract
Background
Screen exposure in early childhood has evolved beyond traditional duration-focused "screen time" to encompass a multidimensional construct including content quality, context of use, co-viewing, caregiver mediation, and developmental trajectories. Understanding these dimensions is essential for comprehensive assessment, particularly in rapidly digitizing cultural contexts such as Saudi Arabia and the broader Middle East.Objectives
This scoping review aimed to systematically map and synthesize peer-reviewed evidence on multidimensional screen exposure and developmental outcomes in children aged 0-5 years, with specific focus on language, cognitive, and socio-emotional outcomes.Methods
This scoping review followed PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Systematic searches were performed in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar (2016-2026). Inclusion criteria were primary empirical studies (randomized trials and observational designs), children aged 0-5 years (up to 72 months, provided primary exposure was assessed within the 0-5-year window), quantitative screen exposure measurement, and validated developmental outcome assessment. Data were extracted and synthesized narratively across the developmental domains.Results
Twenty-seven studies demonstrated that content quality, context of use, and caregiver behavior (including co-viewing and active guidance of screen use) consistently modified the strength of associations between screen exposure and early developmental outcomes. Language development was the most extensively studied domain; co-viewing emerged as a key protective factor, and longitudinal trajectory analyses identified heterogeneous exposure patterns with differing developmental implications across cognitive, socio-emotional, and physical domains.Conclusions
Screen exposure in early childhood is a multidimensional phenomenon requiring assessment tools that capture content, context, co-use, and caregiver mediation alongside duration. Findings highlight the need for culturally adapted measurement instruments in the Saudi Arabian context to support evidence-based early childhood practice and align with Vision 2030 objectives.
Related
- Longitudinal associations of screen time with brain development and expressive language skills in early childhood
- Reading, screen exposure, and the developing brain in childhood and adolescence: A topical review
- Screen exposure in early childhood described by the Italian Surveillance System 0-2 years
- Cultural Influences on Typical Gross Motor Development in Early Childhood: A Scoping Review
- Digital screen exposure and child and adolescent health: A scoping review of a decade of evidence
BibTeX
@article{alghadier2026beyond,
title = {{Beyond Screen Time: A Scoping Review of Screen Exposure and Early Childhood Development.}},
author = {Mshari Alghadier and Ragab K Elnaggar and Abdulaziz Ghandurah and Nouf Alhisony},
journal = {Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.3390/healthcare14193206},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42881645},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Beyond Screen Time: A Scoping Review of Screen Exposure and Early Childhood Development.
AU - Mshari Alghadier
AU - Ragab K Elnaggar
AU - Abdulaziz Ghandurah
AU - Nouf Alhisony
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/28
JO - Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
DO - 10.3390/healthcare14193206
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42881645
AB - Background Screen exposure in early childhood has evolved beyond traditional duration-focused "screen time" to encompass a multidimensional construct including content quality, context of use, co-viewing, caregiver mediation, and developmental trajectories. Understanding these dimensions is essential for comprehensive assessment, particularly in rapidly digitizing cultural contexts such as Saudi Arabia and the broader Middle East.Objectives This scoping review aimed to systematically map and synthesize peer-reviewed evidence on multidimensional screen exposure and developmental outcomes in children aged 0-5 years, with specific focus on language, cognitive, and socio-emotional outcomes.Methods This scoping review followed PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Systematic searches were performed in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar (2016-2026). Inclusion criteria were primary empirical studies (randomized trials and observational designs), children aged 0-5 years (up to 72 months, provided primary exposure was assessed within the 0-5-year window), quantitative screen exposure measurement, and validated developmental outcome assessment. Data were extracted and synthesized narratively across the developmental domains.Results Twenty-seven studies demonstrated that content quality, context of use, and caregiver behavior (including co-viewing and active guidance of screen use) consistently modified the strength of associations between screen exposure and early developmental outcomes. Language development was the most extensively studied domain; co-viewing emerged as a key protective factor, and longitudinal trajectory analyses identified heterogeneous exposure patterns with differing developmental implications across cognitive, socio-emotional, and physical domains.Conclusions Screen exposure in early childhood is a multidimensional phenomenon requiring assessment tools that capture content, context, co-use, and caregiver mediation alongside duration. Findings highlight the need for culturally adapted measurement instruments in the Saudi Arabian context to support evidence-based early childhood practice and align with Vision 2030 objectives.
SN - 2227-9032
ER -