Does preschool TV exposure affect mental health? Evidence from China

This study examines the impact of preschool TV exposure on adolescents’ mental health in China. Using data from the 2010 China Family Panel Studies, we exploit geographical variation in the timing of TV introduction across communities to identify the causal effect of preschool TV exposure on mental health and depression of children aged 10 to 15. Our results show that an additional year of preschool TV exposure leads to a 5.94% standard deviation exacerbation in mental illness and a 5.76% standard deviation increase in depression symptoms. The impacts are more pronounced on children with less educated mothers, and with those residing in less developed areas. Further analysis suggests that preschool TV exposure may negatively affect mental health through deteriorating physical health and diminishing cognitive and non-cognitive abilities. This research provides evidence that early childhood experiences, such as exposure to TV at a young age, can have persistent impacts on mental health. Findings also shed light on the origins of mental health inequalities and highlight the importance of early interventions.