Abstract
BackgroundThe aim of this study is to explore the association between family-related factors and excessive time spent on screen-based activities among school-aged children.MethodsA cross-sectional survey using the methodology of the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study was performed in 2013, with data collected from Slovak (n = 258) and Czech (n = 406) 11- and 15-year-old children. The effects of age, gender, availability of a TV or computer in the bedroom, parental rules on time spent watching TV or working on a computer, parental rules on the content of TV programmes and computer work and watching TV together with parents on excessive time spent with screen-based activities were explored using logistic regression models.ResultsTwo-thirds of respondents watch TV or play computer games at least two hours a day. Older children have a 1.80-times higher chance of excessive TV watching (CI: 1.30-2.51) and a 3.91-times higher chance of excessive computer use (CI: 2.82-5.43) in comparison with younger children. More than half of children have a TV (53%) and a computer (73%) available in their bedroom, which increases the chance of excessive TV watching by 1.59 times (CI: 1.17-2.16) and of computer use by 2.25 times (CI: 1.59-3.20). More than half of parents rarely or never apply rules on the length of TV watching (64%) or time spent on computer work (56%), and their children have a 1.76-times higher chance of excessive TV watching (CI: 1.26-2.46) and a 1.50-times greater chance of excessive computer use (CI: 1.07-2.08). A quarter of children reported that they are used to watching TV together with their parents every day, and these have a 1.84-times higher chance of excessive TV watching (1.25-2.70).ConclusionsReducing time spent watching TV by applying parental rules or a parental role model might help prevent excessive time spent on screen-based activities.
Highlights
The presence of parental rules focused on limiting screen time appeared to be one of the key factors that influence the amount of time spent on screen-based behaviour in youth [8]
The aim of this study is to explore the association between family-related factors and excessive time spent on screen-based activities among school-aged children
The effect of either or both parental rules and activities shared with parents on the chances of spending excessive time watching TV does not differ between children aged 11 and 15 years old
Summary
The aim of this study is to explore the association between family-related factors and excessive time spent on screen-based activities among school-aged children. Research suggests that children are spending too much of their free time on screen-based activities, including playing PC games, using the Internet or watching TV [1]. Adolescents who exceeded the recommended screen time, had no parental screen-viewing rules [10] or who lacked parental restriction on Internet use were more likely to report an increased amount of time spent online [11]. Studies are not consistent about the link between parental rules regarding time spent on screen-based activities and the number of hours children use computers. More research is needed to understand the role of parents in moderating children’s screen-based activities
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