No, although this kind of question is thick with potentially clouding variables.
That’s why I was thrilled to find this study from my Alma mater (Michigan State University) that properly addressed the question using statistical techniques to account for the complexity of the question.
Here’s the executive summary of the study called Internet use, videogame playing and cell phone use as predictors of children’s body mass index (BMI), body weight, academic performance, and social and overall self-esteem by Linda A. Jackson, Alexander von Eye, Hiram E. Fitzgerald, Edward A. Witt and Yong Zhao; Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA:
In this research we examined the prediction of children’s body mass index (BMI), body weight, academic performance, social self-esteem and overall self-esteem from their IT (information technology) use, specifically, their Internet use, cell phone use and videogame playing, after controlling for the effects of gender, race, age and household income on these measures. Participants were 482 children whose average age was 12 years old.
One-third was African American and two-thirds were Caucasian American. Results
indicated that IT use did not predict BMI or body weight, contrary to one previous survey and the widespread belief that screen time is responsible for the obesity epidemic among our nation’s children.
Instead, BMI and body weight were higher for African Americans, older children and children from lower income households. The sole and strong positive predictor of visual–spatial skills was videogame playing, which also predicted lower grade point averages (GPAs). Gender and Internet use predicted standardized test scores in reading skills. Females and children who used the Internet more had better reading skills than did males and children who used the Internet less, respectively. Implications of these findings for future research on the benefits and liabilities of IT use are discussed.
Leave a Reply
Your comment will appear after moderation.