Repercussions of screen use in childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and old age: Comprehensive evidence review and secondary meta-analysis of devices in the sleep environment

Abstract

Objective: to examine screen-related health outcomes across the life course and reassess the association between devices in the sleep environment and insufficient sleep. Methods: a broad evidence review using targeted searches of indexed literature and publisher verification, with separate synthesis of meta-analyses, longitudinal studies and trials available through October 2, 2026. This was not an exhaustive systematic search of all databases. A secondary random-effects meta-analysis used contingency tables from six pediatric studies published by Carter et al. (2016), with Hartung–Knapp inference, influence analysis and a prediction interval. Results: among 6,530 participants, device access in the sleep environment was associated with insufficient sleep: OR 1.79, 95% CI 1.21–2.66; I² 63.7%; prediction interval 0.82–3.90. Childhood findings varied with exposure quantity and context. Adolescent evidence emphasized sleep, depressive symptoms and problematic use. Adult outcomes involved attention, well-being, visual health and cardiometabolic risk. In older populations, television and cognitively active digital use showed different associations; technology-learning interventions produced small cognitive benefits. Conclusion: age, activity and context matter. Prevention should protect sleep, interaction, movement and functioning while retaining useful educational and social uses. Observational evidence predominates and limits causal inference.