Abstract
BackgroundChild screen time (ST) has soared during the COVID-19 pandemic as lockdowns and restrictions have forced changes to regular family routines. It is important to investigate how families are navigating ST.ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore families’ experiences of ST during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsVirtual focus group sessions were conducted between December 2020 and February 2021 in English and Spanish. Transcripts were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis.ResultsIn total, 48 parents (predominantly Hispanic) residing in California participated in 1 of 14 focus group sessions. Children were attending school remotely at the time of the study. A total of 6 themes and 1 subtheme were identified: (1) total ST has increased; (2) children are too attached to screens; (3) ST has advantages and disadvantages but parents perceive ST as mostly negative; (4) parents and children have limited options; (5) ST restrictions (subtheme: children react negatively when ST is restricted); and (6) parents are concerned that children are not getting enough exercise.ConclusionsThis study provides a cross-sectional insight into how family life has changed with regard to ST during the COVID-19 pandemic. Parents expressed concerns about total ST, the addictive nature of it, and lack of physical activity. It is important that future studies examine the long-term effects of heavy ST and preemptively introduce ways to redirect children’s ST habits as the country attempts to establish a new normal.
Highlights
The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed family life in myriad ways
This study provides a cross-sectional insight into how family life has changed with regard to screen time (ST) during the COVID-19 pandemic
Six key themes and one subtheme were identified: (1) total ST has increased; (2) children are too attached to screens; (3) ST has advantages and disadvantages but parents perceive ST as mostly negative; (4) parents and children have limited options; (5) ST restrictions; and (6) parents are concerned that children are not getting enough exercise
Summary
The pandemic has presented an unprecedented situation where for many, work and family life have collided [1,2]. Some parents are finding themselves working from home for the first time [3], and in addition they may be juggling distance-learning for their children [4]. Concomitant effects of the pandemic include fewer support systems available for assistance, such as in-person schooling [4,5], child care [2,6], and even emotional support [7], exacerbating the complexity of the situation for parents and families. Child screen time (ST) has soared during the COVID-19 pandemic as lockdowns and restrictions have forced changes to regular family routines. It is important to investigate how families are navigating ST
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