Is this a return to normal? Longitudinal trajectories of child screen and problematic media use across the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States

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ABSTRACT This study uses both quantitative and qualitative data to examine how screen media use and problematic media use changed over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic (pre-onset, 3-months and 15-months post-onset). We examined changes in screen media use (time spent) and problematic media use (seemingly addicted behavior) in children ages 1.17–11.42 years across three time points (N = 316, 51.7% girls, 83.9% White; primarily middle-to-high income). Qualitative findings provided insight into parent perceptions of the long-lasting effects of COVID-19 media behaviors, some parents experiencing burnout over fighting with their children about screens, and families finding a balance with screens. Quantitatively, both screen and problematic media use increased from 2019 to 2020 (small-medium effect size) and decreased from 2020 to 2021 (small effect size), though not all the way to 2019 levels. There were significant interactions between screen media use and child age/negative parent perceptions, but none with problematic media use. This is the first study to elucidate that while many parents were seeing a return to normal for their child’s media use 15 months post-onset, many were struggling just as much as they were at COVID-19 onset, indicating the pandemic’s potentially long-lasting effect on child media use behaviors.