A Study on Perceptions of Mothers regarding Electronic Screen Media Exposure of their Preschool-Aged Children

Abstract

Background: Media is a pervasive force that is becoming dominant in the lives of children. A growing proportion of children’s leisure time is spent with screens including smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles and televisions, raising concerns about the effect of screen time on well-being among parents, health professionals and educators. An accurate understanding of the role of media in children’s lives is essential for promoting healthy development. Hence this study was conducted to understand the perceptions of mothers regarding electronic screen media exposure of their preschool-aged children. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1620 mothers having children aged between 2-5 years. An interview schedule having semi-structured questions was designed. The data thus collected was tabulated and converted into frequencies and percentages. Results: All (100%) mothers reported having television and smartphone/mobile at home. Majority (81.4%) reported that their preschool-aged children spend >2 hours daily on screen media. Mothers had both positive and negative perceptions regarding screen-viewing behaviour of their preschool children in various aspects. Conclusion: To promote child health and development in a digital world, physicians and other health care providers should counsel parents and caregivers of young children on the appropriate use of screen time.