Screen time and working memory in adolescents: A longitudinal study
Abstract
Little is known about the effects of excessive screen time on Working Memory (WM) in adolescents. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between measures of screen time in adolescence and Working Memory. Data from the 1993 Pelotas (Brazil) Birth Cohort Study were analyzed (N = 3625). Self-reported screen time was collected at ages 11, 15 and 18. Working Memory performance (Digit Span backward score) was examined at age 22. Multiple linear regression was used to assess the associations between three screen time measures (television, video game and computer time) for each age and WM at age 22. We also evaluated the direct and indirect effect by mediation analysis, using the intelligence quotient (IQ) at 18 years as mediator. In men, television and video game time at 11 years and computer at ages 11 and 15 years had a positive effect on WM. Also, these effects were mediated through IQ. In women there was no significant association between screen time measures at ages 11, 15, and 18 and WM. This study provides new insights about the relationship between television, videogame, and computer time with WM in adolescents, by exploring the paths of these associations and considering the important mediating role of IQ.
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Research so far shows mixed consequences of screen time on cognitive abilities related to intelligence.
“Research so far shows mixed consequences of screen time on cognitive abilities related to intelligence10–13.”
From The impact of digital media on children’s intelligence while controlling for genetic differences in cognition and socioeconomic background (2022) · cites this paper as [12]
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“Engaging with stimulating digital content further raises cognitive arousal, complicating relaxation before bedtime, and ultimately worsening sleep quality (54, 55).”
- Authors
- Soares, P. S. M., de Oliveira, P. D., Wehrmeister, F. C., Menezes, A. M. B., & Gonçalves, H.
- Affiliations
- Universidade Federal de Pelotas (BR)
- Corresponding author
- Soares, Pedro San Martin
- ORCID
- Venue
- Journal of Psychiatric Research
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2021-05
- Volume
- 137
- Pages
- 266-272
- ISSN
- 0022-3956 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W3135648372
- Semantic Scholar
- 7eb99519c0f23d00cb554dbbc456ec7c49ca3f62
- Cited by
- 27
- References
- 36
- Citations by year
- 2026: 8 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 7
- FWCI
- 6.59
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- Locations
- Journal of Psychiatric Research (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Education › Child Development and Digital Technology
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Cognitive Abilities and Testing
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Impact of Technology on Adolescents
- Keywords
- screen time, working memory, adolescents, television viewing, video games, computer use, intelligence quotient, mediation, sex differences, Pelotas Birth Cohort Study
- MeSH terms
- Screen Time, Adolescent, Adult, Brazil, Child, Female, Humans, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Memory, Short-Term, Cohort Studies, Young Adult
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