Effect of elevated screen exposure could be as significant as parental behaviour and premature birth, report says The effect of high screen time on children is as significant as parental behaviour and premature birth, if not greater, a global study has found. Researchers examined data on more than 2.8 million children across 64 countries and concluded that elevated screen exposure could affect children in areas including academic achievement and emotional problems. It is one of the largest ever studies on the subject.