Screen Time and ADHD

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that over 11 million children in the country have been diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) across the country. It’s one of the most common mental disorders currently affecting those under 18 years of age. 

In contemporary society, the heavy use of digital devices has created seismic changes in the way we communicate and entertain ourselves. There’s an observed connection between ADHD behavior and increased screen time. 

Our pediatricians at Abdow Friendship Pediatrics in Rockville, Maryland, follow the research on this topic and know the impact of digital device usage is a challenge facing children and parents alike. The connection between screen time and ADHD is both complex and sometimes subtle. 

Today, we take a deeper look into this relationship. 

Does screen time cause ADHD? 

To date, no research or study supports the idea that a child can develop ADHD because of an excess of digital screen time. However, other connections between the two indicate an interactive relationship between the disorder and screen use behavior. 

Children with ADHD tend to spend more time using digital devices than children without ADHD. Similarly, children who spend the most time viewing digital screens tend to display more ADHD symptoms. 

While this seems to support the idea that screen time causes ADHD, there are other explanations for these connections that can confuse clarity. 

Other reasons for ADHD symptoms

There’s no single test that establishes a child has ADHD. Instead, it’s usually a diagnosis made by qualified medical professionals who compare a child’s behavior with criteria as outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), as well as ruling out other conditions that could be potential causes. 

It’s possible for any child to meet some of the ADHD criteria yet not be diagnosed with the condition. Boredom can drive kids to develop screen time habits that rob them of time for other activities that use their thinking abilities while requiring patience before payoff. 

Even mild attention issues can be sucked in by the glamor and instant gratification of gaming and social media. A chemical response in the brain is triggered, providing your child with a steady stream of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which targets neural pleasure centers. 

The bottom line

For most children, whether diagnosed with ADHD or not, limiting screen time reduces ADHD-like behaviors and symptoms. Yet, pulling children away from devices and screens can trigger anger and frustration. 

This is an indication that your child might be showing legitimate signs of ADHD requiring diagnosis. Other symptoms can include: 

• Requests for hardware or software upgrades in an increasing need for stimulation
• A preference for socializing with people online over interacting with friends in person
• An inability to control their own screen time in the face of negative consequences

We’re ADHD specialists at Abdow Friendship Pediatrics. Contact our office to plan a visit for you and your child. Call or click to book your appointment with our team today.