Lesions Associated With Autism Symptoms Map to a Cerebellar Brain Network in Tuberous Sclerosis Complex.

Screen time refers to the duration spent on entertainment activities mediated by electronic devices, such as televisions, smartphones, computers, and other technologies with a visual interface, generally characterized by passive content consumption. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that children under 2 years of age do not use screens and that those up to 5 years of age do not exceed one hour per day. However, a meta-analysis revealed that 24.5% of children under 2 years old already use screens, and in the preschool phase this number can reach 35.6%, indicating excessive use. Prolonged screen time has been linked to several negative repercussions on children’s health, with effects that can extend into adolescence and adulthood. Evidence points to delays in cognitive, social, and linguistic skills; poorer academic performance; reduced quality of interaction between parents and children; and an increase in psychological and emotional problems, such as symptoms of depression, anxiety, and manifestations consistent with neurodevelopmental disorders. Additionally, there is a worsening of sleep quality, an increase in disruptive behaviors, as well as a higher risk of childhood obesity due to reduced physical activity and the prevalence of sedentary lifestyles. Furthermore, screen time directs children to advertising for unhealthy foods and influences their consumption patterns, as observed by the relationship between excessive screen time and rejection of fruits and vegetables by Chinese preschool children. In Spain, longer periods of screen time for children during their leisure time have been associated with poorer eating habits. This reality is also present in the Brazilian context, where a relationship was found between screen time and the practice of eating meals in front of screens, as well as the consumption of ultra-processed foods by 4-year-old children.