Digital media exposure and pediatric health: the recommendations from the Italian Society of Pediatrics Digital Dependency Commission
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Digital media exposure has become an integral component of childhood and adolescence, profoundly reshaping developmental environments worldwide. The Italian Pediatric Society (SIP) Digital Dependency Commission aim to provide indications for families and paediatricians to minimize the potential consequences related to media device and social media use in minors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic review of the international literature was performed in Pubmed searching for Mesh key terms from 1st January 2018 to 1st April 2025. Outcomes of interest encompassed physical health, obesity, neurocognitive development, sleep, visual health, mental well-being, behavioural addiction, and cyberviolence. RESULTS: The analysis demonstrates that excessive and unregulated digital media exposure is associated with sedentary behaviour, unhealthy dietary patterns, obesity, and cardiometabolic risk. High screen use is linked to language delays, impaired attention, reduced executive functioning, and structural brain changes. Evidence reveals sleep disruption, with delayed sleep onset, reduced duration, and circadian rhythm disturbances. Visual health is compromised through increased symptoms of digital eye strain and accelerating myopia progression. Mental health outcomes include anxiety, depressive symptoms, emotional dysregulation, loneliness, and social comparison stress. Problematic digital, gaming disorder, cyberbullying and online violence often coexist with psychological…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a systematic review, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Tryptophan Metabolism and Gut-Brain Homeostasis
- Rationale for a Multi-Factorial Approach for the Reversal of Cognitive Decline in Alzheimer’s Disease and MCI: A Review
- Prioritized Research for the Prevention, Treatment, and Reversal of Chronic Disease: Recommendations From the Lifestyle Medicine Research Summit
- Relationship between sleep disorders and gut dysbiosis: what affects what?
- The role of CLOCK gene in psychiatric disorders: Evidence from human and animal research
- Genetic, Transcriptome, Proteomic, and Epidemiological Evidence for Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption and Polymicrobial Brain Invasion as Determinant Factors in Alzheimer’s Disease
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.