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Taken at face value, these contrasting positive and negative correlations are confusing.
Is screen time good or bad?
Perhaps neither one: When looking at the strength of the correlations, we see only very modest associations.
This suggests the differences are explained by many variables, not just screen time.
Its a very small piece of a much larger picture.
Also, our study is correlational rather than causal.
Correlational research shows that two seemingly related variables dont necessarily generate changes in each other.
Causal research implies that one variable did cause a direct change in the other.
For example, we found that adolescents who spend more time on screens may display more symptoms of aggression.
Whats next
Currently, there is no established threshold for an acceptable amount of screen time.
Whileguidelines do existfor younger kids, nothing official has been set for adolescents.
Additionally, our study did not include academic screen use, only recreational.
So it was impossible to compare academic versus recreational screen use outcomes.
The ABCD Study will follow these children until they are 20 years old.
For the moment, however, only one thing is certain: Screens are here to stay.
