Effects of Screen Time on Concentration, Memory and Class Attendance

Question: How does excessive screen time affect students' concentration, memory, and class attendance? 

Answer: There are several factors to consider when looking at screen time and its impact on concentration, memory, and school attendance. For concentration and memory, it is often less about the total number of hours and more about how screens are being used, and by whom. Screens can be used in a variety of ways, such as watching TV, connecting with friends, or playing an educational game (see Screen Time for Teenagers). Many factors can influence concentration, memory, and attendance, including physical activity, nutrition, sleep and what is going on in the family, home, and at school. So, screen time may be just one aspect of influence on these factors.   

Concentration and Focus  

Media multitasking is a screen behavior that is linked to problems concentrating. Media multitasking means using more than one digital media device at the same time, rapidly switching between them, or using a device while doing an offline activity, like texting while watching streaming services or using social media while doing homework. Researchers have found that multitasking is a common part of the modern study and work environment.  

A review of 33 studies of screen use and concentration in young people aged 6-25 found a link between media multitasking and difficulty concentrating: 

• Students who multitask while learning may need more time and repetition to absorb the same material, and  
• In schools, recreational media multitasking is connected to poorer learning outcomes.  

Memory 

Working memory, our ability to hold and use information for a short time, is closely connected to attention and sleep. Using screens for several things at once while doing homework has been linked to lower academic performance, although studies do not all agree and the effects are usually small. The clearest connection is with sleep. Screen use, especially around bedtime, has been associated with less sleep and more sleep problems and with more daytime sleepiness. Because sleep helps the brain store what was learned during the day, not getting enough sleep can make it harder to remember information and focus the next day. For more on this connection, see the prior portal response on Sleep Quality and Social Media. 

Class Attendance 

Health, family circumstances, parental support, school engagement and more all impact student attendance. While we don’t know a lot about screen use and attendance specifically, adequate sleep can help teens to get to school on time and stay engaged once there. In one study of 11-to-12-year-olds, those who had a TV or internet-connected device in their bedroom and those who left their phone ringers on overnight got less sleep than those without. Talking or texting, listening to music, and using social media at bedtime were all linked to less sleep, more sleep disturbance, and greater difficulty falling and staying asleep. To learn more about screens and academics, see this prior portal response on Effects of Screen Time on Academic Performance and Mental Health. 

Tips for Families   

• Focus on one task at a time when studying. Putting the screens out of sight, or setting a “do-not-disturb” or “focus mode,” helps keep the student in control of when interruptions happen   
• Use The 5 Cs of Media Use: Pay special attention to “crowding out” and “content” when it comes to concentration and academics: Is screen time getting in the way of homework? Or is the screen being used as an academic tool or a reward for hard work? 
• Take breaks when working and studying. Setting a timer and then taking a “brain break” can help. A break can involve technology, but ideally it would also involve physical movement or stretching (maybe a dance to TikToks or favorite videos). For breaks and stressful moments, the Calm Toolbox offers a menu of healthy ways to reset, such as moving the body, refocusing, reaching out to someone, or a calming activity. These breaks can serve as rewards for hard work and refresh focus for the next learning period. 
• Protect sleep with a consistent routine. This supports memory and easier wake-ups in the morning to get to school. Teens may find the short explainer Screen Time and Insomnia - What it Means for Teens helpful.  
• Establish a Family Media Plan. This can provide ideas for rules, guidelines and shared media experiences across the family.  
• Seek support when concentration, memory or attendance is a challenge. There are many reasons students may have difficulties concentrating or remembering, or showing up for class, and support from a trusted adult, school counselor or pediatrician can help. 

References 

• Kim, E.L., Rogojina, A., & Samson, K. (2026). The associations between media multitasking, sleep outcomes, and trait mindfulness. Psychology of Popular Media.   
• Lax, M., Mölsä, M. E., Korhonen, J., & Söderberg, P. (2025). Media multitasking and academic achievement among different educational levels: a scoping review. Discover Education 2025 5:1, 5(1).   
• Leonhardt, C., Danielsen, D., & Andersen, S. (2025). Associations between screen use, learning and concentration among children and young people in western countries: a scoping review. Children and Youth Services Review, 177.   
• Moreno, M. A., Jelenchick, L., Koff, R., Eikoff, J., Diermyer, C., & Christakis, D. A. (2012). Internet use and multitasking among older adolescents: An experience sampling approach. Computers in Human Behavior, 28(4).   
• Nagata, J. M., Cheng, C. M., Shim, J., Kiss, O., Ganson, K. T., Testa, A.,…Baker, F. C. (2024). Bedtime Screen Use Behaviors and Sleep Outcomes in Early Adolescents: A Prospective Cohort Study. The Journal of adolescent health: official publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine, 75(4).   
• Pérez-Chada, D., Bioch, S. A., Schönfeld, D., Gozal, D., & Perez-Lloret, S. (2023). Screen use, sleep duration, daytime somnolence, and academic failure in school-aged adolescents. PLOS ONE, 18(2).   
• Zhou, Y. D., Liping  (2023). A systematic review of media multitasking in educational contexts: trends, gaps, and antecedents. Interactive Learning Environments, 31(10).   

Age: 11-20 

Keywords: Multitasking, Attention, Screen Time, School, Education  

Role: Educator, Pediatrician/Clinician, Other