Correlates of mobile device use in young children: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction

Mobile device use has increased in recent years among young children. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to identify and quantify the correlates of mobile device use (tablets and smartphones) and problematic smartphone use (PSU) in young children.

Methods

The following databases were searched up to March 2026: MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, CINAHL, Applied Social Sciences Index and Abstracts, International Bibliography of the Social Sciences, PsycINFO, Web of Science, ERIC and citation search. Quantitative or mixed-methods studies that reported the correlates of mobile device use or PSU on children aged 6 or younger. Studies were excluded if they focused on children with critical illnesses or developmental disorders, combined mobile device use with other forms of screen time (such as television), assessed the health impacts of device use, were conducted in laboratories or during the COVID-19 pandemic, or were not published in peer-reviewed journals. Screening, data extraction and quality assessment were performed independently by two reviewers. The correlates were broadly classified across three levels of the socioecological model. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed using the Fisher transformation of the correlation coefficient.

Results

A total of 39 studies with 32 927 individuals from 17 countries were included. 115 correlates were identified: 43 at the individual level, 68 at the interpersonal level and 4 at the environmental level. No correlates revealed a significant effect for PSU. However, there was a significant positive association between mobile device use and: (1) Age (tablet r=0.211 (95% CI 0.006 to 0.416); smartphone r=0.107 (95% CI 0.035 to 0.179); combined r=0.182 (95% CI 0.063 to 0.302)); (2) sex (boys) (smartphone r=0.051 (95% CI 0.010 to 0.101)); (3) parental device use (tablet r=0.417 (95% CI 0.290 to 0.544); smartphone r=0.237 (95% CI 0.134 to 0.340)) and (4) parental stress (smartphone r=0.168 (95% CI 0.065 to 0.271)).

Conclusion Future studies addressing mobile device use in young children should consider parental device usage and provide support to reduce parental stress.

PROSPERO registration number CRD42024543727.