When it comes to screen time and the affect of digital devices on the stress and attention spans of children, the total amount of time spent on digital media might not be the most important factor. It might be multitasking or using additional media while already using a primary digital device. In a new study published in the journal PLOS One, researchers at the University of Luxembourg studied 118 children between 8 and 12 years old at a Swiss school. They found no significant relationship between total media use and the children’s stress levels, attention spans, or sleep. But higher levels of media multitasking were associated with increased levels of psychological distress, worse sleep and behavior, and lower attention ratings assigned by both teachers and parents. Interestingly, playing video games appeared to reduce levels of stress and improve attention control of the children.