The relationship between social avoidance and problematic media use among preschool migrant children: a cross-lagged study

This study investigated the relationship between social avoidance and problematic media use among Chinese preschool migrant children. Using a cross-lagged design across two time points (nine months apart), mothers of 225 children (Mage = 55.23 months, 52.90% girls) reported on these behaviors. Results indicated that Time 1 (T1) problematic media use positively predicted Time 2 (T2) social avoidance. Conversely, T1 social avoidance did not significantly predict subsequent problematic media use. Additionally, no significant gender differences were observed in these relationships. These findings suggest that problematic media use is a risk factor for social avoidance, highlighting the importance of early intervention for migrant children facing unique developmental challenges.