Gender Moderates the Neural Impact of Problematic Media Use on Working Memory in Preschoolers: An fNIRS Study

Background: This study investigated the relationship between problematic media use (PMU) and working memory in preschoolers. Methods: Parents of children aged 3 to 7 (260 boys, 257 girls; Mage = 5.57, SD = 0.73) in Jinan, China, completed questionnaires assessing children’s PMU and working memory. Subsequently, High (nhigh = 32, Mage = 4.53, SD = 0.67) and Low (nlow = 30, Mage = 4.67, SD = 0.66) PMU groups, based on the survey data, complete a dual 1-back task during functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) recording. Results: Behavioral accuracy and reaction time showed no significant group differences. However, a significant interaction between the PMU group and gender on prefrontal activation was observed, F(1, 60) = 5.88–7.59, ps < 0.05, ηp2 = 0.09–0.12. High-PMU boys exhibited greater left prefrontal activation than low-PMU boys, while low-PMU girls showed greater activation in these same areas compared to low-PMU boys. A three-way interaction of group, task condition, and gender on prefrontal activation was also found, F(2, 60) = 5.81–6.42, p < 0.01, ηp2 = 0.10–0.19, suggesting that neural responses varied by task and participant characteristics. Conclusions: These findings indicate that PMU may be associated with altered prefrontal activation during working memory tasks in preschoolers, with gender playing a moderating role.