Screen Time Is Doing A Lot More To Gen Alpha's Brains Than Scientists Expected

Many of us who did not have widespread access to the Internet until at least our late teens are grateful. So many embarrassing videos and pictures were shared solely among friends as we crowded around the small square of a digital camera. However, Generation Alpha, those born between 2010 and 2025, certainly entered the world post-smartphone. Many have even garnered the nickname "iPad kid." Such ubiquitous access to screens can, of course, affect the brain. Some of the most notable issues that excessive screen time has led to are difficulties in paying attention and social behaviors. However, emerging research has shown that screen time in young people even alters the way that their brains perceive reward.

Our brains are pretty sensitive and largely impacted by many aspects of our environment. This is particularly true during early development. Because our brains are building themselves as we grow, they are more vulnerable. One area of the brain that is a standout late-bloomer is the prefrontal cortex. This part of the brain has a lot of important functions, but it is notably involved in cognition and decision-making. Perhaps it is not surprising then that this portion of the brain has revealed abnormalities in children who spend an excessive amount of time interacting with screens. While more research is required to understand the long-term effects this will have as the brain continues to develop, deficiencies in this area can lead to impulse control issues as well as difficulty regulating emotions.

Screen time can be incredibly engaging and even activate areas of the brain that are associated with reward. This is partially by design, as apps and websites are created with the intent of optimizing the amount of time that an individual spends. For instance, pop-up notifications can create a sense of urgency, and auto-play features are meant to prolong engagement. As self-regulation is mediated by cortical activity, these design elements can act on a developmental vulnerability, which might reduce the ability of children to disengage. It is possible that this heightens problematic screen usage, which is characterized by compulsion towards the technology, mood alterations, and functional impairment.

Reward processing in the brain can be complicated and involves many different parts. The striatum is a nucleus in the brain heavily associated with reward and motivating behaviors. Included in the nucleus are the caudate — which is involved in the more cognitive aspects of reward, such as reward seeking, learning, and anticipation — and the nucleus accumbens — responsible for motivations as well as anticipating reward. A study published this year found a small correlation with addictive phone usage and reduced activity in the nucleus accumbens during reward anticipation in 11–12 year-olds. This could indicate that the excited feeling one typically gets in response to something is blunted in children who compulsively spend time on their phones. Such a development could cause these individuals to seek more reward, as a greater amount is required to elicit a similar response.

Another paper published in the Journal of Behavioral Addictions looked at the activity of structures in the striatum and video game usage. While in contrast to the aforementioned study, which did not find a significant correlation between striatal activation and video game use, these researchers found a link between reduced activity in the caudate and problematic video game usage in 10–15-year-olds. Therefore, this study would indicate an alternative route of altered reward processing and might explain why games like Fortnite can be so addictive. However, the discrepancies between the two studies, as well as the low effect size of the first paper, highlight the need for more research into how screen time impacts the developing brain. Importantly, reduced activity in the striatum during reward anticipation is also associated with an increased risk of substance use. It is useful to remember the difference between correlation and causality when studying screen time and neurological discrepancies.

Before you remove all devices from your child's possession, it is important to note that there are also benefits of screen time, largely based on the type and monitoring of the activity. A 2024 study revealed that Gen Alpha kids tend to perform better, both cognitively and socially, through digital learning activities. The same study found that increased parental involvement in regulating screen time was associated with improved emotional balance and social interaction. In other words, as with many things, there are benefits to screen time in moderation.