More screen time in childhood associated with better cognitive processing in adolescence

by University of Eastern Finland

edited by Lisa Lock, reviewed by Alexander Pol

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In a study conducted at the Universities of Jyväskylä and Eastern Finland, more screen time since childhood was associated with better cognitive processing in adolescence. According to one of the researchers, we should not regard screen time solely as harmful. The most important thing is to find a balance between physical activity and screen time that promotes active thinking.

Low levels of physical activity among adolescents are a major public health challenge. A sedentary lifestyle has been shown to decrease school achievement, while physical activity is known to promote brain function, especially in adults. However, there is little research evidence about the connections between physical activity and sedentary time in childhood and adolescence and cognitive processing in adolescence, although these life stages are pivotal for brain development. Various factors that influence cognitive processing in childhood and adolescence can be reflected far into adulthood, including in educational choices and working life.

The study, now published in Pediatric Exercise Science, investigated how physical activity, sedentary behavior and screen time from childhood to adolescence are associated with cognitive processing in adolescence and whether there are sex differences in these connections. In addition, the researchers examined the role of physical activity intensity in this respect.

Screen time can support thinking and learning

According to the findings, higher amounts of screen time since childhood were connected to better cognitive processing in adolescence.

"The findings suggest that screen time can support children's and adolescents' cognitive processing. Presumably, the essential point is what they do during screen time. Teachers and parents should encourage children to use devices and screens in ways that promote active thinking, problem-solving, creativity and learning," says doctoral researcher Petri Jalanko of the University of Jyväskylä.

"We should not regard screen time solely as harmful but seek a balance between physical activity and screen time that promotes active thinking," Jalanko summarizes.

Physical activity and sedentary time associated in complex ways with cognitive processing

In girls, higher amounts of light-intensity physical activity since childhood were associated with better working memory in adolescence. In boys, higher amounts of guided physical activity from childhood to adolescence were associated with better working memory in adolescence.

Surprisingly, less self-reported unsupervised physical activity was connected to better cognitive processing in adolescence. In contrast, physical activity or sedentary time measured by a heart rate and movement sensor was not associated with cognitive processing. The differences may be explained by the fact that heart rate and movement sensors cannot determine what a person is actually doing during periods of physical activity and sedentary behavior.

"Our study indicates that the connections between physical activity and sedentary behavior and cognitive processing are complex and depend on sex, the type and assessment method of physical activity, and sedentary time. Moreover, boys and girls may benefit from different types of physical activity in terms of brain health," Jalanko adds.

"However, we need more intervention studies to identify causal relationships and sex differences in this respect. Moreover, it is important to examine more specifically the effects of physical activity intensity on changes in cognitive processing."

The findings are based on an eight-year follow-up of the PANIC study on children's physical activity and nutrition. The current study involved 124 girls and 136 boys, whose average age was 15.8 years. Physical activity and sedentary behavior were measured by a device that combined heart rate and movement measurements and by a survey questionnaire. Learning, attention and working memory were assessed using the CogState test battery.

More information

Petri Jalanko et al, Associations of Physical Activity and Sedentary Time From Childhood to Adolescence With Cognition in Adolescence: The PANIC Study, Pediatric Exercise Science (2026). DOI: 10.1123/pes.2025-0083

Key medical concepts

Screen TimeMemory, Short-TermActivities, Physical

Clinical categories

PediatricsChildren's healthNeurologyFitness & Physical activityHealthy living Provided by University of Eastern Finland Who's behind this story?

Lisa Lock

BA art history, MA material culture. Former museum editor, paramedic, and transplant coordinator. Editing for Science X since 2021. Full profile →

Alexander Pol

PhD nano-engineering from Delft University. Published researcher and journal reviewer. Brings scientific insight to content standards. Full profile →

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