DURATION OF THE USE OF MOBILE ELECTRONIC DEVICES AS A RISK FACTOR FOR HEALTH OF CHILDREN, ADOLESCENTS AND YOUTH

Abstract

Aim: To study associations between the duration of the use of mobile electronic devices by schoolchildren and students and functional state of the eyes. Methods: The study was performed from September-May 2017-2020. Altogether 805 schoolchildren and students in Moscow and the Moscow region participated in the study. The pattern of mobile electronic device use was assessed by a questionnaire. Continuous variables were analyzed using unpaired t-tests. Associations between visual acuity and duration of the use of mobile devices were assessed using non-parametic correlation analysis. Spearman's correlation coefficients were calculated. Results: Almost 100 % of students reported using use mobile electronic devices. The device of choice was a smartphone. The total time of use of mobile electronic devices by middle and senior schoolchildren during school hours, on weekends and during vacation time significantly exceeded the daily total time of use by primary school students. Students spent more hours with mobile devices than schoolchildren. Students who had a day without a mobile device had a significantly higher volume of accommodation (ACV) (0.54 diopters) than those who used it daily (0.45 diopters; p < 0.05). Conduisons: Hygienic recommendations for the use of mobile electronic devices by students and schoolchildren should include organizing a day off during the week in which the smartphone is not used.