Association between Screen Time and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Abstract

Objective: To determine the association between daily screen time duration and ADHD symptom severity. Study Design: Analytical Cross Sectional study. Period: May to October 2025. Setting: Department of Community Medicine, Quaid-e-Azam Medical College, Bahawalpur. Methods: Total of 194 children aged 8-12 years were included in the study through stratified random sampling technique was used to enroll 194 children aged 8–12 years. Media Use Questionnaire was used to quantify Digital exposure. Conners-3 Parent Rating Scale was used to evaluate ADHD symptoms. Pearson correlations and multivariable linear regression was used for analysis by SPSS version 25.0, adjusting for socioeconomic status, sleep, physical activity, and parental ADHD history. Results: The average daily screen time was 3.8 ± 1.6 hours. Bivariate analysis revealed positive correlation between total screen time and both hyperactivity/impulsivity (r=0.19, p-value=0.008) and inattention (r=0.21, p=0.003). Regression analysis showed that each additional hour of screen time was independently associated with 1.82-point increase in Inattention T-scores (95% CI: 0.47–3.17, p=0.009) and 1.48-point increase in Hyperactivity scores (p=0.023). Interactive gaming showed stronger associations than educational content. Conclusion: Excessive screen time especially interactive gaming and social media is strongly associated to increased severity of ADHD symptoms. To reduce potential neurodevelopmental concerns, immediate treatments centered on sleep hygiene and content control are required.