Screen use and internet addiction among parents of young children: A nationwide Canadian cross-sectional survey.

Cindy-Lee Dennis,Hilary K Brown,Flavia Marini,Sarah Carsley,Catherine S Birken,Rhonda C Bell,Valerie D’Paiva,Ainsley Miller,Justine Dol,Sarah Brennenstuhl,Saranyah Ravindran,Constantine Dovrolis

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0257831

Abstract

ObjectivesTo establish the factorial structure and internal consistency of the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) in parents, the level and correlates of problematic internet use, and patterns and types of screen use.Study designData were collected through an online questionnaire about preconception health among Canadian women and men with ≥1 child. The questionnaire included the IAT and questions about time spent on screens by device type, use of screens during meals and in the bedroom, and perceptions of overuse. Factor analysis was completed to determine the factorial structure of the IAT, with multivariable linear regression used to determine correlates of the IAT.ResultsThe sample included 1,156 respondents (mean age: 34.3 years; 83.1% female). The IAT had two factors: “impairment in time management” and “impairment in socio-emotional functioning” of which respondents had more impairment in time management than socio-emotional functioning. Based on the original IAT, 19.4% of respondents would be classified as having a mild internet use problem with 3.0% having a moderate or severe issue. In the multivariable model, perceived stress (b = .28, SE = .05, p < .001) and depressive symptoms (b = .24, SE = .10, p = .017) were associated with higher IAT scores. Handheld mobile devices were the most common type of screen used (mean = 3 hours/day) followed by watching television (mean = 2 hours/day).ConclusionParents spent a significant portion of their time each day using screens, particularly handheld mobile devices. The disruption caused by mobile devices may hinder opportunities for positive parent-child interactions, demonstrating the need for resources to support parents ever-growing use of technologies.

Highlights

In the past decade, there have been profound changes in the types of digital technologies available to the general population, with a particular increase in the use of mobile devices in the home [1]
Based on the original Internet Addiction Test (IAT), 19.4% of respondents would be classified as having a mild internet use problem with 3.0% having a moderate or severe issue
Parents spent a significant portion of their time each day using screens, handheld mobile devices

Summary

Introduction

There have been profound changes in the types of digital technologies available to the general population, with a particular increase in the use of mobile devices in the home [1]. Traditional screen time exposure, meaning “time spent with the television on”, is associated with fewer verbal exchanges between parents and children [3], decreased initiated interactions [4], and decreased language-enriching activities [5]. A new wave of research has examined these associations with parent mobile device and internet use. Parents’ interrupted attention by their devices was associated with child externalizing behaviors and parenting stress [8]. These trends are concerning, but current research is limited by small sample sizes and heterogeneous methods. As screen time behavior evolves from families having one or two television sets per household to each member having two or more handheld devices, new measures are required to capture these exposures. Understanding the patterns of screen use and burden of problematic internet use in parents would inform resources to support parents navigate using technologies

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Conclusion