Differentiated Effects of Media Exposure During Preschool and Early School Ages on Later Development, Based on Media Use

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to differentiate between the effects of media exposure in preschool and early school ages on later development, based on media use intentions. The study specifically explored the impact of media use for education and entertainment at ages 5-6 and 8 on subsequent developmental outcomes at the age of 10, in areas of school- and media- related outcomes.Methods: The study included 1,766 children who participated in the Panel Study of Korean Children. Path analyses were conducted to examine the effect of early media use on later development. All independent variables regarding children’s media exposure were simultaneously included in the model. The developmental outcomes were then analyzed separately in the model.Results: Media exposure in preschool for entertainment negatively influenced children’s academic achievement and computer ability, increasing their addictive media use and behavioral problems. However, early school-age media exposure for education positively affected children’s academic achievement and computer ability. The adverse effects of media exposure for entertainment during preschool ages were apparent at age 10. Conversely, the positive impact of media exposure for education was only observed at the age of 10, when the exposure occurred at the age of 8.Conclusion: The influence of early media exposure varied significantly based on the media content and the age of exposure. Notably, media exposure for educational purposes after school entrance predicted the most desirable developmental outcomes.