Hostname: page-component-5c6d5d7d68-thh2z Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-08-27T12:56:34.973Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Maternal awareness and practices in managing screen-time for children

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 August 2024

H. Atturu
Affiliation:
1Dept of Psychiatry, Care Hospital Hitech, Hyderabad, India
S. C. Gujju*
Affiliation:
2Year 13 A-Level, The English College, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
*
*Corresponding author.

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.
Introduction

The issue of screen time usage among children has become a contentious topic for parents in contemporary society. While electronic devices offer undeniable benefits, their inappropriate use can lead to substantial mental and physical health challenges for children. Parents are tasked with the responsibility of equipping themselves and their children with the knowledge and skills necessary for mindful electronic device use.

Objectives

This study aims to assess the awareness levels of mothers regarding their children’s screen time usage and to promote mindful screen usage. It also aims to understand the reasons behind parents’ decisions to allow their children access to electronic devices.

Methods

An adapted short online screen-time questionnaire (Vizcaino et al 2019), was distributed through online Google forms, primarily to mothers residing in India. The questionnaire comprised of ten questions encompassing topics related to the child’s background, mothers’ awareness and patterns of screen-time usage.

Results

213 mothers with children aged one year to 17 years responded. 157 mothers (73.7%) were in employment (104 were working in an office, 32 were working from home and 18 were freelancing). 121 mothers had >one child. Majority of the mothers (n=170, 79.81%), believed that children should have <one hour screen-time. However, they also admitted that majority of their children spent >one hour per day screen-time. The usage was more during weekends (>one hour=161, 75.58%) than weekdays (>one hour = 145, 68%)(p=0.021). Weekend screen-time was more in children whose mothers were employed (p=0.006). There is a significant increase in weekday (p=0.044) and weekend (p=0.006) screen-time usage as the child’s age increased. Children predominantly watched television, followed by mobile phones and tablets. Except for 29 children, the rest enjoyed interacting with other people (54 with everyone, 73 with only family members and 57 only for some time). The primary context in which children engaged with electronic devices was while they were being fed/ meals-time (n = 114,54%) or when the mothers were busy with household chores (n = 85,40%).

Conclusions

Despite maternal awareness about healthy screen-time, majority of the children were allowed to use higher screen-time. Efficient strategies should be imparted to parents to change the current practices of using digital-media as pacifier or distractor to mindful screen-time including usage for educational purposes.

Disclosure of Interest

H. Atturu Consultant of: Advisor to CognitiveBotics, AI based software., S. Gujju: None Declared

Type
Abstract
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BY
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2024. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of European Psychiatric Association
Submit a response

Comments

No Comments have been published for this article.