Parents of children who spend lots of time engaged with devices may wonder if there is a link between screen usage and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in young people. The National Institutes of Health reports that current research does not indicate tablet or screen use directly causes ADHD. However, excessive screen time is linked to a worsening of ADHD symptoms, and can even cause temporary attention problems in children who do not have the disorder.

While numbers vary by age, pediatric experts like the American Academy of Pediatrics emphasize that young children ages two to five limit screen time to one hour per day of high-quality, educational programming. The AAP favors a more individualized approach for children ages six and older.