Early Digital Exposure and Executive Function Development A Psychological Perspective on Children Aged 5–10

Sarita Kumari

Early Digital Exposure and Executive Function Development A Psychological Perspective on Children Aged 5–10

Author(s)	Dr. Sarita Kumari
Country	India
Abstract	The increasing prevalence of early digital exposure among young children has raised important questions regarding its influence on cognitive development, particularly executive function (EF). This study examined the relationship between daily screen time, content type, and parental mediation on three core EF components working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility—among children aged 5–10 years. A sample of 200 school-going children participated in standardized EF assessments, including Digit Span, Go/No-Go, Stroop, and the Dimensional Change Card Sort (DCCS) tasks. Digital exposure patterns were measured using a parent-reported questionnaire. Results indicated that higher daily screen time was significantly associated with poorer performance across all EF components. The strongest negative correlation emerged for inhibitory control, suggesting heightened sensitivity of attentional regulation processes to digital overstimulation. Content type played a differential role: entertainment-based content predicted weaker inhibitory control, whereas educational content showed a modest positive association with working memory. Interactive games produced mixed effects, enhancing cognitive flexibility slightly while reducing inhibitory control. Regression analyses confirmed screen time as a strong negative predictor of EF outcomes even after controlling for demographic factors. Importantly, parental mediation significantly moderated the negative impact of digital exposure, indicating that co-viewing, monitoring, and time restrictions serve as protective factors. Developmental differences were observed, with older children demonstrating stronger EF performance; however, screen exposure patterns remained similar across age groups. Overall, the findings highlight the need for balanced digital use, emphasizing content quality and active parental involvement to support healthy EF development during early and middle childhood.
Keywords	executive function, screen time, children, cognitive development, parental mediation
Field	Sociology > Philosophy / Psychology / Religion
Published In	Volume 6, Issue 6, November-December 2025
Published On	2025-12-16

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Early Digital Exposure and Executive Function Development A Psychological Perspective on Children Aged 5–10

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