Editorial: Children's health and screen time

papers-are synthesized and organized into four key themes: (1) core impacts on physical, mental, and social development; (2) the critical role of family and cultural context; (3) pathways from risk to resilience and intervention; and (4) confronting methodological challenges in the field. The synthesis highlights the importance of examining content, context, and underlying mechanisms rather than mere duration of use. Key findings reveal complex, often bidirectional relationships and the critical influence of mediating factors (e.g., sleep, executive function) and moderating variables (e.g., parental mediation, culture). Acknowledging the limitations of the current evidence base, including the prevalence of correlational data, the editorial argues for a paradigm shift from simple restriction to fostering mindful digital The impact of screen time is not deterministic; it is profoundly shaped by a child's environment, challenging the efficacy of one-size-fits-all prescriptions. This extends beyond just the family or culture to the very nature of the digital activity itself. Reinforcing this issue's central thesis, a large-scale study by Cao and Li (2025) found that for preschoolers, the type of digital engagement-not the total duration-was the key predictor of their well-being profile. Entertainment-focused activities were associated with higher-risk profiles, whereas creative activities acted as a protective factor. This crucial distinction between content and mere time underscores the need to look inside the "black box" of screen use.Adverse events during this sensitive period may leave a mark in the future, as a study by Elkin et al.(2025) showed that university students with childhood trauma had higher social media addiction.Several articles in this issue further underscore the pivotal role of the family. C. The articles in this special issue, taken together, paint a picture of great complexity. A unifying thread is the move from asking if screen time is harmful to exploring how, why, and for whom. The evidence illuminates a series of intricate mechanisms: we see how screen time can erode internal resources like self-control (Yang & Shanshan, 2025), how physical health (BMI) can mediate its effects on mental health, and how good sleep can act as a protective buffer (Wang et al., 2025).While this collection marks a significant step forward, it is by no means the final word.Critical questions regarding the long-term causal impacts of screen use, the influence of emerging AI-driven content algorithms, and the socioeconomic disparities in digital access and literacy remain urgent areas for future inquiry. The heavy reliance on correlational data across field still makes definitive causal claims challenging.Nevertheless, the evidence presented here provides a clear mandate. We must shift our focus from mere restriction to fostering mindful and intentional digital citizenship. This involves promoting active parental mediation, strengthening children's internal self-regulation, tailoring strategies to developmental and cultural contexts, and demanding high-quality, prosocial content from industry. The digital world is here to stay; this research provides an invaluable, albeit incomplete, roadmap to help us guide the next generation in navigating its maze-not just to survive, but to thrive.