The relationship between the use of Touch Screen Devices and interference suppression in children aged 5-11

• Published in: Applied neuropsychology. Child 2024-10, Vol.13 (4), p.402-412
• Main Authors: Buhrs, Susan, van Amelsvoort, Thérèse, Strik, Jacqueline, Roggeveen, Suzanne, Lousberg, Richel
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Age Factors; Child; Child, Preschool; Children; Computers, Handheld; digital technology use; Female; Humans; Inhibition, Psychological; interference suppression; Male; multilevel analysis; neuropsychological test; Psychomotor Performance - physiology; Reaction Time - physiology; screen time; Sex Factors; Smartphone
• ISSN: 2162-2965; 2162-2973; 2162-2973
• DOI: 10.1080/21622965.2023.2208700

To investigate the relation between the use of Touch Screen Devices (TSDs), such as smartphones and tablets, and interference suppression as assessed by the Bivalent Shape Task (BST) in 5-11-year-old children. Thirty-eight children from a Dutch primary school were included. Interference suppression was measured in the incongruent level of the BST. TSD use was measured by a standardized interview. The dataset was analyzed using multilevel analysis because of its nested structure. Children with moderate to high TSD use showed a longer reaction time (RT) as age progresses in the incongruent level (T = 2.40, p = .017), compared to children with no to low TSD use. Furthermore, an interaction between TSD use, age, gender, and the incongruent level demonstrated an increased RT in boys with moderate to high TSD use compared to boys with no to low TSD use as age increases (T = −2.23, p = .026). The RT in response of interfering stimuli seems to be negatively influenced by TSD use as age progresses in children aged 5-11. Moreover, a gender-specific effect could be observed. Given the potential impact of these findings, more research would be helpful to further explore causal mechanisms.