| Electronic media exposure and neurodevelopment in
children under 5 years of age: an updated evidence-based
narrative review |
Soumi Kundu1 
, Sudip Bhattacharya2
, Rajan Kumar1
, Kusum Kumari3, Chandrima Biswas4, Asha Oraon5
, Abhimanyu Ganguly6 |
1Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Deoghar, India
2Department of Community and Family Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Deoghar, India
3College of Nursing, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Deoghar, India
4Department of Neurosurgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Deoghar, India
5Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Deoghar, India
6Department of Physiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Deoghar, India |
Correspondence:
Soumi Kundu, Email: drsoumikundu@gmail.com
|
|
Received: 28 May 2026 • Revised: 31 July 2026 • Accepted: 3 August 2026 |
|
|
| Abstract |
|
The rapid integration of electronic media into daily life
has transformed early childhood experiences worldwide.
While digital technology offers opportunities for learning,
communication, and entertainment, concerns persist
regarding its impact on neurodevelopment during the
critical early years of life. This narrative review synthesizes
current evidence on the association between electronic
media exposure and neurodevelopmental outcomes
in children under 5 years of age. The literature
search of PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science,
and the Cochrane Library identified 21 original studies,
12 review articles (systematic reviews/meta-analyses,
scoping reviews, and narrative reviews), and 4 international
guidelines/recommendations, which were included
in the narrative synthesis. Evidence related to cognitive,
language, motor, behavioral, socioemotional development,
sleep, and neuroimaging findings was critically reviewed.
Overall, excessive and early screen exposure was associated
with language delays, impaired attention and executive
functioning, socioemotional difficulties, sleep
disturbances, and reduced motor activity. Sleep disruption,
including shorter sleep duration and delayed sleep
onset, may represent an important pathway linking excessive
media use with adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Neuroimaging studies also suggest reduced white
matter integrity in language-related brain pathways,
providing biological plausibility for these associations.
Developmental outcomes were influenced by parental
mediation, content quality, socioeconomic
factors, and
increased screen exposure during the coronavirus disease
2019 pandemic. Current guidelines
from the American
Academy of Pediatrics, World Health Organization,
and Indian Academy of Pediatrics recommend limiting
screen exposure and promoting caregiver-supervised,
developmentally appropriate media use. Excessive and
unsupervised electronic media use may adversely affect
multiple domains of neurodevelopment, particularly
when it replaces interactive play, caregiver engagement,
and healthy sleep. Further longitudinal studies incorporating
objective measures of media exposure, sleep
assessment, and neuroimaging are needed to strengthen
current evidence and guide pediatric recommendations. |
| Key Words:
Preschool child, Screen time, Digital media,
Neurodevelopment |
|
PDF Links
Download Citation
