Effects of digital environments on children’s cognitive function and mental health: a bibliometric study

In recent years, the rapid proliferation of electronic products and technology has significantly transformed various facets of contemporary life, with children being particularly affected. Several studies have revealed varying degrees of influence that exposure to digital environments has on children’s cognitive functions and mental health; however, the findings across numerous studies are incongruent. Nevertheless, illuminating this topic is indisputable and of paramount importance. Our investigation, harnessing both the VOS viewer and CiteSpace, undertook a visualization analysis of the literature from 2000 to 2023 to discern prevailing trends and focal points within this domain. Our findings indicate that the preponderance of current research in this field predominantly centers around the impacts of the digital environment on children’s mental health. In contrast, research addressing cognitive functions remains somewhat underrepresented. Furthermore, the research outputs and influences from developing regions considerably lag behind those of their developed counterparts. Subsequently, we delved into the pressing challenges that this domain grappled with. Factors such as the broad implications of the term “digital environment” and the intricate task of standardizing cognitive development measurements have considerably hampered progress in this field. In light of these insights, we earnestly urge fellow researchers to accord with heightened attention to this realm. Doing so would facilitate the design of high-calibre longitudinal studies, propelling societal understanding of the repercussions of digital exposure on children’s cognition and mental health.