Screen exposure and emotion regulation abilities in 5–6-year-old children: a moderated mediation model
By
Dan Kang
Guanni Jiang
Xiwu Xu
June 5, 2026
Clinical Scorecard: The Relationship Between Screen Time and Emotional Regulation in Children Aged 5 to 6: An Analysis of Moderated Mediation Effects
At a Glance
Category Detail
Condition Emotion Regulation in Children Aged 5-6 Key Mechanisms Screen exposure affects executive function, which in turn influences emotion regulation. Target Population Children aged 5 to 6 years Care Setting Kindergartens and family environments
Key Highlights
Higher screen exposure is associated with lower emotion regulation abilities. Executive function partially mediates the relationship between screen exposure and emotion regulation. Parent-child interaction moderates the effects of screen exposure on executive function and emotion regulation. Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
Assess screen exposure and its impact on emotion regulation in young children. Management
Encourage quality parent-child interactions to mitigate negative effects of screen exposure. Monitoring & Follow-up
Monitor screen time to ensure it does not exceed recommended limits. Risks
Excessive screen time is linked to poor emotional regulation, cognitive development, and increased risks of mental health issues. Patient & Prescribing Data
Children aged 5 to 6 years in early childhood education settings.
Focus on reducing screen time and enhancing parent-child interactions to improve emotional outcomes.
Clinical Best Practices
Implement family-based guidance on screen use and emotional development. Promote educational programming over non-child-directed content. Related Resources & Content
