Canadian researchers have found “weak but significant” associations between screen time and behavioural problems such as aggression, as well as emotional and mood disturbances in children after analysing 87 studies published from 1960 to 2021. The team analysed 87 eligible studies from 595 articles, totalling over 159,000 participants aged 12 or younger and found that there is a relationship between adolescents’ screen time and exhibited externalised and internalised behavioural problems. “Although the effect sizes (relationship strength) found in this study were small, the consequences of screen time at a population level are likely meaningful,” the authors led by Sheri Madigan wrote. Externalising behavioural problems are exhibited in children’s outward behaviour by negatively acting on the external environment such as aggression, attention deficit, and hyperactivity. Whereas internalising behavioural problems affect mood and emotion such as anxiety and depression. Overall, the team noted that the relationship, though significant, was comparable to the findings …