A sweeping new analysis is sounding the alarm over children’s growing dependence on digital devices as their primary way to handle difficult emotions—a habit with far-reaching consequences for mental health and development. Dubbed the age of the “digital pacifier,” researchers warn that screens aren’t just a symptom of modern life but a central piece of a self-defeating cycle among kids around the world, including in Thailand, where daily screen time continues to trend upward. The findings, released in the journal Psychological Bulletin and summarized in recent reports such as StudyFinds.org, urge families and educators to rethink the role of screens in children’s emotional lives, especially as global averages climb above healthy limits and more Thai children access devices at unprecedented rates.
At the core of the research, a team from Australian Catholic University tracked nearly 300,000 children in multiple countries, making this the largest such analysis to date on screen use and emotional development. Their conclusion? Excessive screen time does not merely correlate with emotional and behavioral issues in children—it actively fosters them, and these very problems, in turn, make kids more likely to retreat deeper into the digital world for comfort. This cyclical relationship, termed a “vicious cycle” by the researchers, was evident regardless of culture, economic background, or region. And Southeast Asia, where rapid digitalization has outpaced public health messaging, faces unique challenges and mounting risks (Healthcare Asia).
The researchers highlighted gaming as especially problematic compared to other digital content. Children who played video games displayed a greater increase in emotional and behavioral issues over time than those who mainly watched television or used educational apps. Even more striking was the finding that kids already struggling with issues like anxiety, aggression, or attention problems were far more likely to choose gaming as their emotional escape route. The study’s authors remarked, “Screen use may increase the risk of children developing socioemotional problems, and children with socioemotional problems may be drawn to screens, possibly as a way to manage their distress.” Unlike the simplistic view that “screens are bad,” this analysis calls out the complex role digital devices play as both cause and self-prescribed cure for emotional struggles (Psychological Bulletin abstract).
For parents of older children (ages 6–10), the warning is especially urgent. While toddlers are limited in their screen autonomy, older children—empowered to choose content and access devices independently—are the most vulnerable. Data from the region shows school-aged children in Southeast Asia average 2.77 hours per day on screens, already surpassing the World Health Organization’s recommended daily limit of two hours for this age group. In Thailand alone, according to data collated by Exploding Topics, the typical child now spends almost eight hours daily on screens, with about five of those hours on mobile devices.
Statistical evidence from 117 longitudinal studies analyzed in the Psychological Bulletin meta-study reveals consistent, if often subtle, links: children with more gaming screen time were at higher risk for future emotional or behavioral challenges, and children who already had anxiety, depression, or social difficulties gravitated even more strongly toward screen-based activities. This “displacement effect”—where hours spent in front of a screen replace time in physical activity, face-to-face relationships, or imaginative play—erodes vital social and coping skills. As one researcher summarized, “The screen provides immediate relief, but the child never learns better coping strategies.” (StudyFinds.org)
Patterns in Thailand mirror these global trends. The digital transformation accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic means children now start using screens at increasingly younger ages. According to public health reports, Thai children aged 2 to 5 are supposed to have their screen time capped at one hour a day, with active parental monitoring for educational content (21K School Thailand). However, in practice, far more children exceed these recommendations. Surveys show that parents frequently use tablets and smartphones as “digital babysitters,” especially when juggling remote work or household duties. The same tendencies observed in the international research—using screens to soothe tantrums or distract from boredom—are now common practice in many Thai homes.
Not all screen time is created equal, however, and the new research reflects this nuance. Educational content viewed together with a parent showed little to no harmful effects; the darker side emerges when screens substitute emotional connection or become a tool of isolation. In Southeast Asia, rising concerns also include increased risks of exposure to online predators, cyberbullying, and inappropriate content (UNODC), as digital literacy among parents and caregivers lags behind children’s growing digital fluency.
Social and cultural context deepens these concerns in Thailand. Traditionally, Thai child-rearing emphasizes close-knit family and community bonds—values that risk being eroded by solitary screen time. Teachers and pediatric specialists in local hospitals report an uptick in children presenting with attention problems, sleep disturbances, and declining academic performance, issues strongly associated with excessive screen exposure (Bangkok Post). One leading official in child mental health at a Thai state hospital noted, “We are seeing more children who struggle with face-to-face socialization, preferring the predictability of the digital world where they feel in control.”
These shifts reflect a larger global debate, echoed in academic literature. A recent 2025 study on digital screen exposure in preschool children found that the parent-child relationship strongly moderates the impact of screens: children with attentive, supportive caregiving are less likely to suffer negative emotional effects, even with moderate screen use. In resource-limited regions, where outdoor play or organized sports may be inaccessible, screens sometimes fill the gap, complicating blanket recommendations to “just say no.”
Thailand’s experience, then, becomes both a warning and a window of opportunity. The country’s embrace of technology in urban and rural areas alike demands that parents, teachers, and policymakers step up efforts to understand screen time not just as a matter of hours, but as a question of content, context, and connection. The recent UN Office on Drugs and Crime “Beware the Share” campaign offers an example of an innovative, culturally attuned approach; it leverages interactive tools and local language resources to educate families about online safety and the mental health dangers associated with risky digital habits (UNODC campaign).
Looking to the future, public health experts predict the challenge will only intensify unless Thai society mobilizes a coordinated response. Recommendations increasingly call for age-specific, practical guidelines. The World Health Organization suggests that children under age two avoid screens entirely, except for supervised video chats with distant relatives. For those aged 2 to 5, screen time should not exceed one hour per day, with a focus on co-viewing educational content. For school-aged children, the advice is to set clear limits, encourage alternative activities like sports or creative hobbies, and maintain open conversations about digital boundaries.
The “digital pacifier” problem cannot be solved by outright bans or guilt trips. Researchers emphasize that awareness and active engagement are key. Families can create tech-free times (such as during meals or before bedtime), prioritize real-world interactions, and use parental controls to restrict inappropriate content. Schools in Thailand, now returning to more regular in-person schedules post-pandemic, have begun offering guidance to parents on healthy digital habits, echoing global best practices (World Health Organization).
There is some hope in emerging innovations. Local developers are creating Thai-language educational apps designed to encourage collaborative play rather than passive consumption. Child psychologists in Bangkok are piloting support groups for families struggling with digital addiction. “The goal isn’t to eliminate screens, but to raise a digitally resilient generation—one that can use technology as a tool, not a crutch,” explained a senior consultant in the Ministry of Public Health.
For Thai families grappling with the realities of modern life, the actionable steps are clear: set consistent boundaries, model healthy use by limiting adult screen time, and continuously engage children in offline pursuits that nurture emotional, social, and cognitive development. Check in regularly on children’s emotional well-being, especially if they begin withdrawing into digital worlds. Seek local community resources or talk with teachers and healthcare professionals if concerns about screen dependence arise.
As digital devices become more deeply woven into the fabric of childhood—across Thailand and the world—researchers and child development advocates alike caution that how children use screens matters as much as how often. In a landscape of rising risks and remarkable opportunities, it is human connection, not content, that remains the surest path to healthy, resilient development.
Sources: StudyFinds | Psychological Bulletin abstract | Healthcare Asia | Exploding Topics | 21K School Thailand | UNODC | Bangkok Post