A sweeping new analysis warns that children increasingly rely on screens to manage difficult emotions, creating a cycle that threatens mental health and development. The study, published in Psychological Bulletin, suggests that screens are not just a symptom of modern life but a central factor in how kids cope with distress. In Thailand, where daily screen use continues to rise, the findings carry urgent implications for parents, teachers, and policymakers.
A team from Australian Catholic University analyzed nearly 300,000 children across multiple countries, making it the largest study of its kind. The researchers found that excessive screen time actively fosters emotional and behavioral issues, and those problems drive even more screen use as a coping strategy. This self-reinforcing loop appears across cultures and income levels, with Southeast Asia facing rapid digitalization that complicates public health messaging.
Gaming emerged as a particularly troubling form of screen content. Children who spend more time gaming show greater rises in socioemotional difficulties than those who primarily watch television or use educational apps. Alarmingly, children who already struggle with anxiety, aggression, or attention problems are more likely to turn to gaming for relief. The researchers emphasize that screen use can both exacerbate problems and be used to manage distress, complicating the idea that screens are simply harmful.
For Thai families with children aged 6–10, the warning is especially urgent. Older children have more autonomy over their devices and content, making them more vulnerable to problematic patterns. Regional data indicate Southeast Asian children average about 2.77 hours per day on screens, exceeding the World Health Organization’s recommended two hours for this age group. In Thailand, local analyses show many children spend nearly eight hours daily on screens, with mobile devices accounting for much of that time.
Across 117 longitudinal studies, the meta-analysis found consistent links between high gaming time and future emotional or behavioral challenges, and between existing anxiety or social difficulties and increased screen use. This “displacement effect” suggests that screen time often replaces physical activity, family interaction, and imaginative play, hindering the development of coping skills. One researcher cautioned that screens offer immediate relief, but can prevent learning long-term strategies for managing emotions.
Thailand’s experience mirrors global trends. The pandemic accelerated early exposure to screens, and many Thai households use tablets and smartphones as digital babysitters while balancing work and chores. While educational content viewed with a caregiver can be part of a healthy digital experience, prolonged isolation and poor parental engagement heighten risks. The UN Office on Drugs and Crime has highlighted online dangers in Southeast Asia, including cyberbullying and exposure to inappropriate content, reinforcing the need for digital literacy among caregivers.
Thai educators and health professionals note a cultural tension between modernization and traditional community values. Thai child-rearing places emphasis on family and social bonds, which can be undermined by solitary screen time. Local schools are increasingly guiding families on healthy digital habits and promoting balanced activities to support attention, sleep, and academic performance.
A growing body of research suggests that the parent-child relationship can moderate the impact of screen time. In contexts where caregivers are attentive and supportive, children may suffer fewer negative effects from moderate screen use. When resources are limited, screens may fill gaps in play and outdoor opportunities, complicating blanket advice to limit screens without considering content and connection.
Thailand can view the findings as both a warning and a chance to act. Coordinated efforts involving families, schools, and public health agencies are needed to set practical, age-appropriate guidelines. International guidance recommends explicit limits and co-viewing of educational content, as well as prioritizing offline activities and open discussions about digital boundaries. Public health programs are already exploring culturally resonant approaches to promote safe and constructive digital habits.
Efforts to balance technology use with human connection are underway. Local developers are creating Thai-language educational apps that encourage collaborative rather than passive use. Child psychologists are piloting family support groups to address digital dependence. The aim is not to ban screens but to cultivate a generation resilient enough to use technology as a tool, not a crutch.
For Thai families, practical steps are clear: establish consistent boundaries around screen time, model healthy behavior by limiting adult device use, and prioritize offline activities that develop emotional and social skills. Regularly check in on children’s emotional well-being and seek guidance from teachers or healthcare professionals if concerns arise. Community resources and school-based programs can offer support and strategies tailored to local needs.
As screens become more embedded in daily life, experts caution that how children engage with technology matters as much as how much they use it. The path forward lies in strengthening human connections, fostering digital literacy, and creating environments where technology supports healthy development rather than undermines it.
In Thai contexts, this means balancing innovation with tradition—embracing digital tools while preserving family bonds, physical activity, and creative play. By working together, Thai society can help children develop resilience and skills for a thriving future in a connected world.