The Correlation between Problematic Media Use and Executive Functions in Preschool Children

The aim of this study is to determine whether or not preschool children’s TV watching time and problematic media use are predictors for the working memory and inhibitory control components of executive functions (EFs). The participants, 418 mothers, answered questions about TV watching time, problematic media use, as well as working memory and inhibitory control components of EFs for their children (4-6 years old). The findings of the study revealed that problematic media use had moderately negative significant correlations with working memory and inhibitory control. Furthermore, TV watching time and problematic media use predicted working memory and inhibitory control. Accordingly, the problematic media use of the children accounted for 29% of the total variance in working memory and 27% of the total variance in inhibitory control. These findings shed light on the correlation between problematic media use and EFs in preschool children.

Cite this article as: Kavruk, S. Z., Dogan, R. Y., & Tozduman Yarali, K. (2025). The correlation between problematic media use and executive functions in preschool children. Addicta: The Turkish Journal on Addictions, 12(2), 212-219.