J Korean Med Sci.  2023 Dec;38(48):e411. 10.3346/jkms.2023.38.e411.

Intelligence-Dependent Differential Effects of Media Exposure on Executive Function Changes in Children: A Population-Based Cohort Study With a Longitudinal Design

• Oh Y
• Baek JH
• Joung YS

• KMID: 2549169
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2023.38.e411

Abstract

Background
Excessive media use is known to be associated with executive dysfunction in children, but it’s unclear whether this exposure can lead to long-term changes of executive function. This study aimed to investigate the association between media exposure and longitudinal changes in executive function within a population-based study, while considering the potential influence of intelligence.
Methods
This study used data from 1,209 participants in the Panel Korea Study for Children. The children’s media exposure was measured at ages 7 and 8, and executive function was evaluated annually from ages 7 to 10 using the Executive Function Difficulty Screening Questionnaire. Participants were grouped by media exposure level (low, medium, or high), and longitudinal changes in executive function were analyzed using linear mixed effects models. Subgroup analysis was conducted to investigate how executive function changes varied based on intelligence within each media exposure group.
Results
Children with high media exposure (n = 97) had severer executive function difficulties than those with low (n = 141) or medium (n = 971) exposure in all waves. The high exposure group demonstrated persistent higher executive function difficulties up to age 10 after controlling for child gender, intelligence, parental education level and maternal depression. Children with intelligence quotient (IQ) ≤ 100 in the medium to high media exposure group had significantly more severe executive function difficulties than those with IQ > 100.
Conclusion
This study provided evidence of a longitudinal negative association between media exposure and executive function. The findings suggest that excessive media exposure may lead to long-term changes in executive function in children and highlight the importance of implementing targeted interventions and educational strategies to mitigate the potential negative effects of excessive media use, particularly for children with lower cognitive abilities.

Keyword

Media Exposure; Executive Function; Longitudinal Study; Screen Time; Cognitive Development

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Study design. Demographic information and maternal depression were assessed at the age of 7. Media usage time was investigated at ages 7 and 8. Intelligence was evaluated at the age of 8. Executive function was assessed four times annually from ages 7 to 10.

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  Fig. 2 Changes in executive function from 7 to 10 years of age. First row: Changes in executive function over time based on media exposure groups (low exposure, medium exposure, and high exposure). Second row: Changes in executive function over time based on intelligence groups (IQ ≤ 100, IQ > 100).IQ = intelligence quotient.

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  Fig. 3 Differing changes over time in executive function between intelligence groups within the same level of media exposure. First row: Executive function changes over time based on intelligence within the high exposure group. Second row: Changes in executive function based on intelligence within the low exposure group.IQ = intelligence quotient.

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