Mobile addiction affects younger siblings more than older children, and the brain is deeply affected.

News Topical, Digital Desk : Parents often assume that all their children have similar habits, but a recent international study has revealed some startling facts.

Researchers from Lund University (Sweden) and Monash University (Australia) conducted a study in which it was found that younger siblings in the family are spending more time on screens (mobile, TV etc.) than older children.

Key research data – how much difference is there?

The study is based on time-use diary data from nearly 5,500 Australian children aged 2 to 15. Researchers analyzed the children's 24-hour routines, closely monitoring their sleep, school, play, and study time.

The results show that children born second or third are more likely to-

• On average, they spend 9 to 14 minutes more screen time each day.
• On a weekly basis, this difference reaches 1 to 1.5 hours.
• They engage in intellectual activities for 11 to 18 minutes less per day than their older siblings.

Direct impact on intellectual development

The research looked not only at screen time, but also at enrichment activities, including reading books, playing board games, learning music, and studying.

Data shows that younger siblings are participating less in these intellectual pursuits than older children. Experts say that while this difference may seem small, it can negatively impact children's academic progress in the long run.

This gap increases during adolescence.

Another important finding of the study is that this gap between screen time and intellectual activity is most pronounced between the ages of 10 and 14. This is a sensitive stage of adolescence where children's habits lay the foundation for their future.

Interestingly, when the researchers repeated the same analysis with data from children in the United States, they found similar results. This suggests that this problem is not specific to a single country, but rather a global issue related to the development of younger siblings.

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