Why do parents use screen media with toddlers? The role of child temperament and parenting stress in early screen use

•Toddlers’ higher negative affectivity was related to higher parenting stress.•Toddlers’ lower effortful control was related to higher parenting stress.•Higher parenting stress was associated with greater screen use in toddlers.•Parenting stress mediated the relation between negative affectivity and screen use.•Parenting stress mediated the relation between effortful control and screen use.