Electronic devices usage among children under 10 years of age in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Electronic devices are easy to use by children. Recently, the electronic devices usage has excessively increased among children. Parents have a significant role in the way the children use the electronic device. This study aimed to examine the use of electronic devices among children under 10 years of age in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods: An observational descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted during November and December 2018. The data, from mothers about their children, were collected online using a self-administered questionnaire. All children between the age of 1 to 10 years, were included. Results: A total of 570 mothers were enrolled from whom all the children’s data were collected. All the children included in our study used electronic devices out of which 61% used tablets and 49% used phones, 79% of children used the devices for watching YouTube, movies, and playing games. 47% of children older than 7 years tend to use electronic devices more than 4 hours on weekends, 73% of the children who have their own device used the devices for more than 2 hours per day. Parents’ supervision of the use of electronic devices was equal to the different age groups and regardless ownership of a device. Conclusion: Our study results revealed that the duration of the use of electronic devices does not vary in all ages. A positive outcome in our study was that the majority of parents do supervise their children.