In an age where digital devices are ubiquitous, the term “screen time” has become a buzzword in discussions about the impact of technology on people’s lives. The parents are concerned about their children’s screen habits. But what if this whole approach to screen time is fundamentally flawed?

Although researchers have made progress in measuring screen use, a detailed critique of the research in 2020 revealed major problems in how screen time is conceptualized, measured and studied. I study how digital technology affects human cognition and emotions. My current research with a cognitive psychologist Nelson Roque builds on the conclusions of this review.

We categorized existing screen time metrics, mapping them based on attributes such as whether they are duration-based or context-specific, and investigate how they relate to health outcomes such as anxiety, stress, depression, loneliness, mood and sleep quality, creating a clearer framework for understanding screen time. We believe that lumping all digital activities together doesn’t take into account how different types of screen use affect people.

By applying this framework, researchers can better identify digital activities that are beneficial or potentially harmful, thereby allowing people to adopt more intentional screen habits that promote well-being and reduce negative effects on mental health and emotional.

Screen time is not a thing

Screen time, at first glance, seems easy to understand: it is simply the time spent on devices with screens such as smartphones, tablets, laptops and televisions. But this basic definition hides the diversity of individuals’ digital activities. To truly understand the impact of screen time, you need to take a closer look at specific digital activities and how each affects cognitive function and mental health.

In our research, we divide screen time into four broad categories: educational use, work-related use, social interaction, and entertainment.

For education, activities such as online courses and reading articles can improve cognitive skills such as problem solving and critical thinking. Digital tools like mobile applications can support learning by strengthening motivation, self-regulation and self-control.

But these tools also pose challengessuch as distracting learners and contributing to weaker memory compared to traditional learning methods. For younger users, on-screen learning may even have negative impacts on development and their social environment.

Screen time for work, such as writing reports or attending virtual meetings, is a central part of modern life. This can improve productivity and enable remote working. However, prolonged screen exposure and multitasking can also lead to stress, anxiety, and cognitive fatigue.

Using the screen for social connection helps people interact with others through video chats, social media, or online communities. These interactions can promote social connectivity and even improve health outcomes such as a reduction in depressive symptoms and better glycemic control for people suffering from chronic illnesses. But passive screen use, like endless scrolling on social media, can lead to negative experiences such as cyberbullying, social comparison and loneliness, especially among adolescents.

Using the Screen for Entertainment provides relaxation and stress relief. Mindfulness apps or meditation tools, for example, can reduce anxiety and improve emotional regulation. Creative digital activities, like graphic design and music production, can reduce stress and improve mental health. However, excessive screen usage can reduce well-being by limiting physical activity and time spent on other enriching activities.

Context matters

Screen time affects people differently depending on factors such as mood, social context, age, and home environment. Your emotions before and during screen use can shape your experience. Positive interactions can improve your mood, while loneliness could get worse with some online activities. For example, we found that differences in age and stress levels affect how easily people become distracted on their devices. Alerts and other changes distract users, making it harder to focus on tasks.

The social context of screen use also matters. Watching a movie as a family can strengthen bonds, while using screens alone can increase feelings of isolation, especially when it replaces face-to-face interactions.

Family influence also plays a role. For example, parents’ screen habits affect their children’s screen behaviorand structured parental involvement can help reduce excessive consumption. It highlights the positive effect of structured parental involvement, as well as attentive social contexts, in managing screen time for healthier digital interactions.

Coherence and nuance

Technology now allows researchers to accurately track screen usage, but simply counting hours doesn’t give us the complete picture. Even when we measure specific activities, like social media or gaming, studies often don’t measure engagement level or intent. For example, someone may use social media to stay informed or to procrastinate.

Studies on screen time often vary in how they define and categorize it. Some focus on total screen exposure without differentiating between activities. Others look at specific types of use but may not consider content or context. This lack of consistency in defining screen time makes it difficult to compare studies or generalize results.

Understanding screen usage requires a more nuanced approach than tracking how much time people spend on their screens. Recognizing the different effects of specific digital activities and distinguishing between active and passive use are crucial steps. Using standardized definitions and combining quantitative data with personal information would provide a more complete picture. Researchers can also study the impact of screen use on individuals over time.

For policymakers, this means developing guidelines that go beyond universal limits by focusing on recommendations tailored to specific activities and individual needs. For the rest of us, this awareness encourages a balanced digital diet that combines enriching online and offline activities for better well-being.

Rinanda Shaleha is a doctoral student in the College of Health and Human Development, Penn State

This article was first published on The conversation.