A study reported across several outlets suggests that high levels of screen time can harm children's learning and language development.
According to the BBC and The Telegraph, the study found that too much screen time can damage children as badly as, or more than, being born into poverty. The Telegraph reported the comparison as screen time damaging children 'more than being born into poverty.'
The Guardian and The Times both reported that high screen time can hurt children's learning and language skills, without making the poverty comparison cited by the BBC and Telegraph.
Details such as the study's authors, sample size, methodology and publication venue were not included in the supplied material.
How each side covered it
Left
- The Guardian reported that high screen time can hurt children's learning and language skills, per the study.
“High screen time can hurt children's learning and language skills, study suggests” — The Guardian
Center
- The BBC reported the study's finding that screen time can damage children as badly as poverty.
“Too much screen time 'can damage children as badly as poverty'” — BBC News
Right
- The Telegraph reported the study found screen time damages children more than being born into poverty.
- The Times reported that the study found screen time harms children's development generally.
“Screen time 'damages children more than being born into poverty'” — The Telegraph
Questions readers ask
What did the study find about screen time and children?
According to reports from The Guardian, BBC News, The Telegraph and The Times, high screen time can harm children's learning, language skills and overall development.
How does screen time compare to poverty in this study?
The BBC and The Telegraph reported that the study found screen time can damage children as badly as, or more than, being born into poverty; The Guardian and The Times did not report this comparison.
Which outlets covered this study?
The Guardian, BBC News, The Telegraph and The Times all reported on the study, according to the supplied summaries.
Do sources agree on how the findings were framed?
No — sources disagree: the BBC and The Telegraph emphasized a comparison to poverty, while The Guardian and The Times focused on effects on learning and language skills without that comparison.
Sources · 4 outlet reports
- The GuardianLeft-leaningHigh screen time can hurt children’s learning and language skills, study suggests
- BBC NewsCenterGlobal News Podcast | Too much screen time 'can damage children as badly as poverty'
- The TelegraphRight-leaningScreen time ‘damages children more than being born into poverty’
- The TimesRight-leaningToo much screen time harms children’s development, study finds