Screen Time Exposure Research Articles

Screen Time Exposure and Domain-Specific Working Memory in Young Adults.

Introduction With technology advancing across all fields, the utility of digital screens is increasing among all age groups for various purposes.Research indicates that while digital technology presents clear advantages, prolonged exposure can have detrimental effects on various aspects of health, behavior, emotions, and cognitive functions like attention and working memory. A crucial cognitive process for learning and information processing which is working memory, can be affected by factors includingscreen time. Studies have found that the impact of screen time on working memory can be negative, positive, or show no discernible relationship. However, earlier investigations are limited to smartphone use as screen time exposure and further to only active screen time. As there is a dearth of studies in the Indian context and young adults are more exposed to screen time, it is important to investigate along these lines. Hence, the present study aimed to investigate the impact of active and passive screen time exposure on modality-specific working memory in young adults. Methods Seventy-sevenneurotypical individuals aged between 18 and 22 years were recruited. The study utilized auditory and visual reverse digit span tasks and the Corsi-backward task to measure working memory span. Screen time data of the participants were collected through a self-administered 18-item questionnaire covering active and background screen time domains. Results and discussion The present study concluded that only active screen time has a significant effect onvisual reverse digit span and supports the notion of the visual superiority effect against an auditory superior effect as suggested by earlier findings. The preliminary findings of correlation observed exclusively within the visual domain in this study could be attributed to the potential impact of screen time exposure (active screen time and textual content). Screen usage demands effective switching between various visual stimuli and ongoing updates of information in memory. Nonetheless, interpreting this explanation and generalization requires caution, given the low ecological validity of the task employed in the study. Future investigations should aim to collect screen time exposure data more objectively, perhaps through online tracking techniques. Furthermore, it would be prudent to expand the correlation analysis to include other cognitive processes and populations.

Advances in Mendelian randomization studies on autism spectrum disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a pervasive neurodevelopmental disorder with onset in infancy or early childhood. Mendelian randomization (MR) is a statistical method used to infer causal relationships between exposures and outcomes. This article summarizes MR studies related to ASD. Existing research supports a causal relationship between maternal inflammatory bowel disease in children with ASD, parental education levels, screen time exposure, obesity, insomnia, serum transferrin, decreased blood selenium, abnormal signals in brain functional MRI, interleukin-6, phosphodiesterase 2A, mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 3, mitochondrial ribosomal protein L33, serotonin, and ASD. However, it does not support a causal relationship between parental rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, neonatal jaundice in children with ASD, cytomegalovirus infection, asthma, oral ulcers, vitamin D levels, and ASD. This article reviews the etiological factors related to ASD and MR studies, aiming to explore and deepen the understanding of the pathophysiology of ASD. It provides strong statistical support for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of ASD, and offers new methods and strategies for the etiological analysis of complex traits.

Association of Screen Time Exposure With Autism Spectrum Disorder in Four to Six-Year-Old Children in Arar City, Saudi Arabia.

Background Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a psychopathologic disorder caused by several factors. The early signs include poor interaction and communication, delayed milestones, and repeated behavior patterns. This study aimed to assess the relationship between screen time and ASD severity and investigate the types of electronic devices associated with ASD in children aged four to six years in Arar City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Methodology A cross-sectional study was conducted in primary healthcare centers (PHCs) in Arar City, KSA. The study enrolled all parents with children aged four to six years attending the PHCs in Arar City, KSA. Results The total sample size was 199 participants. Regarding the relationship between screen time exposure and ASD, there were variable screen time exposure durations, with 22.6% of children exposed for less than an hour, 30.7% for one to two hours, and 46.7% for more than two hours. Moreover, the type of electronic devices to which children were exposed varied, with smartphones being the most prevalent (68.3%). In terms of the age of children since exposure to electronic devices, the data indicated that 30.2% were exposed before the age of two, 35.2% between two and three years, and 34.7% after three years of age. Regarding the relationship with sociodemographic characteristics, there was a statistically significant relationship with the mother's age at birth (p = 0.050), mother's education level (p = 0.009), father's education level (p = 0.049), whether the child was suffering from any chronic or neurological disease (p = 0.008), age since the child was exposed to electronic devices (p = 0.049), and screen time exposure duration (p = 0.040). Conclusions The study highlights the significant association between screen time exposure andthe development of ASDin children. Public awareness of this associated risk among caregivers is recommended to follow the protective guidelines. Further research and interventions are needed to better understand and address the impact of screen media use on children's neurodevelopment and overall well-being.

Screen time and effects on attention deficient hyperactivity disorder in children - A systematic review

In recent years, screen time exposure and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptom interrelations in children have garnered increasing attention. Understanding the screen time’s impact on ADHD has become crucial due to its potential influence on socialization, neurobehavioral development, and the prevalence of ADHD among pediatric populations. Conforming to the guidelines of the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses, a systematic examination was undertaken, centering on research investigating the correlation between screen time and ADHD symptoms in children. The search encompassed databases including MEDLINE (through PubMed), ScienceDirect, Wiley online library, PsycINFO, ERIC, JSTOR, and PsycArticles, utilizing descriptors such as “screen time” and “attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.” The initial search yielded 2480 articles, supplemented by an additional 10 articles from reference searches, resulting in a total of 2480 records. Excluding the duplicates, 1590 articles were screened based on abstracts, of which 130 underwent full-text examination. Ultimately, 15 studies included in this review met the inclusion criteria. These studies, conducted between 2013 and 2023, comprised cross-sectional, longitudinal, and interventional designs, presenting varying associations between screen time and ADHD symptoms across different age groups. The findings from the selected studies depict a complex relationship between screen time exposure and ADHD symptoms in children. While some studies highlight significant correlations between increased screen exposure and ADHD symptoms, others present conflicting results, indicating the need for further research. Understanding these nuances is crucial in formulating targeted interventions and delineating clearer guidelines to manage screen time concerning ADHD in children.

Digital Eye Straining: Exploring Its Prevalence, Associated Factors, and Effects on the Quality of Life.

Digital eye strain (DES) has become a pervasive issue in contemporary society due to increased reliance on electronic devices. This study aims to comprehensively explore the symptoms, severity, and associated factors of DES, considering demographic, behavioral, and health-related variables. A cross-sectional study was conducted among participants with diverse demographic backgrounds. A structured questionnaire collected data on participant characteristics, electronic device usage patterns, symptoms of DES, and its impact on various aspects of quality of life. Statistical analyses, including chi-square tests, were employed to assess associations and significance. The majority of participants reported symptoms of DES, with eye dryness, headache, and eye redness being the most prevalent. Symptom severity varied, with age, daily device usage, adherence to the 20-20-20 rule, and studying with electronic devices demonstrating statistically significant associations. Participants diagnosed with eye diseases exhibited higher symptom severity. While disagreement was common regarding DES increasing stress, a substantial proportion acknowledged its impact on productivity and attention. The current study showed that there is a significant correlation between the incidence of digital eye straining and longer screen exposure time. The findings underscore the importance of age, behavior, and ocular health in understanding and addressing DES. The results contribute to the broader discourse on digital eye health and emphasize the need for targeted interventions to alleviate the impact of DES on daily life.

The Impact of Screen Exposure on Screen Addiction and Sensory Processing in Typically Developing Children Aged 6-10 Years.

As technology continues to develop, children are spending more time in front of screens, which can lead to significant problems. For children aged 5 years and above, screen time of 2 or more hours per day on average is considered problematic. This study aimed to investigate the impact of screen exposure on screen addiction and sensory processing in typically developing children aged 6-10 years. The study analyzed 74 children who had a screen exposure time of 2 h or more and 71 children who had a screen exposure time of less than 2 h. The Dunn Sensory Profile was used to evaluate sensory processing skills, and the Problematic Media Use Scale was used to measure screen addiction. The group with high screen exposure showed statistically significant differences in screen addiction, distraction, and sedentary factors (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found in other parameters. Based on these findings, it has been determined that excessive screen exposure leads to a more sedentary lifestyle, increased screen addiction, and distraction in typically developing children aged 6-10 years. It is important to consider the duration of screen exposure in typically developing children aged 6-10 years and to conduct further studies on this topic.

Evaluation of the Impact of Screen Time and Parental Play on Children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder in Comparison with Normal Children

Background: There is a decremental trend seen in parental play in recent times, and there is a mounting trend in screen exposure in children. This changing trend in parental play and screen time exposure may affect child social and communication domains.Objective: To assess the impact of screen time and parental play in children with autism spectrum disorder.Methodology: This is a comparative cross sectional study with a sample of 60 children. Thirty children of age group 2-6 years diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder as per DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) attending child guidance Clinic, Government Hospital for Mental care were included in the study.The Parental Play Questionnaire assessed parental play in children. The Digital Screen Exposure Questionnaire(DSEQ) evaluated child screen time exposure. The severity of ASD was assessed by using the CARS scale.Results: Out of thirty samples with Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), 60% of children had moderate ASD, while 20% accounted for mild and severe ASD. Nearly 53.3% of ASD children had a frequency of watching smartphones more than 5 times a week with an average duration of more than 2 hours a day. In contrast, in normal children, only 6.7% have such frequency and an average time of watching smartphones less than 1 hour, significant with a p-value of &lt;0.001. Among the ASD group, 80% of children had active physical parent-child play frequency of less than twice a week. In normal children, about 60% had a frequency of parent-child play several times daily.(p-value &lt;0.001). About 66.7% of ASD children never had to pretend play, and 30% had pretend play once a week.Conclusion: The result showed significantly higher screen time exposure and lack of parental play in childrenwith ASD than in normal children. The need of this digital era is mounting concern about reducing screen time exposure and increasing parental play in childhood.

Identification Of Dry Eye Syndrome Risk Factors In Workers Who Use Visual Display Terminals (VDT)

Dry eye syndrome is a multifactorial disease of the eye air and eye surface which causes symptoms of discomfort, visual disturbances, and instability of the eye air layer which has the potential to damage the eye surface. This condition has an impact on productivity, activities in the work environment, apart from that it also has an impact on lower employment opportunities, decreased working hours and increases a person's inability to work. Using visual display terminals for 5-7 hours/day can significantly increase the incidence of dry eye syndrome. Therefore, paying attention to the risk factors of visual display terminal workers is very important in preventing the occurrence of dry eye syndrome. The research method uses literature studies from several national and international journals obtained from 18 reference sources through searches on PubMed and Google Scholar published in the last 5 years. There were 18 articles with full text that met the inclusion criteria and contained several risk factors associated with the incidence of dry eye syndrome. Risk factors for dry eye syndrome in workers who use visual display terminals include age, gender, screen exposure time, psychological stress, work environment, use of contact lenses, use of drugs and history of surgery, refractive disorders, and length of work. Identification of risk factors for dry eye syndrome in workers who use visual display terminals can reduce the incidence and morbidity associated with this disease. So it can improve the quality of life of workers

Ocular surface changes during COVID-19 pandemic among university faculty members with dry eye disease in northern India: A longitudinal study

ObjectiveThe pandemic has brought a paradigm shift in pedagogical modalities throughout the world, with a resultant increase in screen time and ultra-violet light exposure among both students and teachers. The current study was conducted to analyze ocular surface changes in university faculty members with dry eye disease (DED) during the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic in India. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among university faculty members of a medical university in India. An online questionnaire was sent via social media from December 2020 to January 2021, which consisted of questions on demographic details, DED symptoms and use of visual display terminals. All those participants who had DED based on Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) score were followed-up after one month when the pandemic had subsided. ResultsOut of the 150 faculty members in the university, 130 completed the survey (response rate 86.7%). The number of participants with symptomatic DED based on OSDI score was 111 (85.3%). All these participants showed a statistically significant change in subjective measurement of DED symptoms after one month, using OSDI questionnaire. ConclusionDED symptoms increased during the pandemic and there was a statistically significant change in the OSDI scores suggestive of ocular surface damage and a positive relationship with increased digital screen time. The finding has implications as targeted interventions need to be undertaken to mitigate the effects of increased screentime, especially among populations with more duration of near work using digital screens.

Altered intra- and inter-network brain functional connectivity associated with prolonged screen time in pre-school children with autism spectrum disorder.

Prolonged screen time (ST) has adverse effects on autistic characteristics and language development. However, the mechanisms underlying the effects of prolonged ST on the neurodevelopment of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) remain unclear. Neuroimaging technology may help to further explain the role of prolonged ST in individuals with ASD. This study included 164 cases, all cases were divided into low-dose ST exposure (LDE group 108 cases) and high-dose ST exposure (HDE group 56 cases) based on the average ST of all subjects. Spatial independent component analysis (ICA) was used to identify resting state networks (RSNs) and investigate intra- and inter-network alterations in ASD children with prolonged ST. We found that the total Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) scores in the HDE group were significantly higher than those in the LDE group (36.2 ± 3.1 vs. 34.6 ± 3.9, p = 0.008). In addition, the developmental quotient (DQ) of hearing and language in the HDE group were significantly lower than those in the LDE group (31.5 ± 13.1 vs. 42.5 ± 18.5, p < 0.001). A total of 13 independent components (ICs) were identified. Between-group comparison revealed that the HDE group exhibited decreased functional connectivity (FC) in the left precuneus (PCUN) of the default mode network (DMN), the right middle temporal gyrus (MTG) of the executive control network (ECN), and the right median cingulate and paracingulate gyri (MCG) of the attention network (ATN), compared with the LDE group. Additionally, there was an increase in FC in the right orbital part of the middle frontal gyrus (ORBmid) of the salience network (SAN), compared with the LDE group. The inter-network analysis revealed increased FC between the visual network (VN) and basal ganglia (BG) and decreased FC between the sensorimotor network (SMN) and DMN, SMN and ATN, SMN and auditory network (AUN), and DMN and SAN in the HDE group, compared with the LDE group. There was a significant negative correlation between altered FC values in MTG and total CARS scores in subjects (r = - 0.18, p = 0.018). Conclusion: ASD children with prolonged ST often exhibit lower DQ of language development and more severe autistic characteristics. The alteration of intra- and inter-network FC may be a key neuroimaging feature of the effect of prolonged ST on neurodevelopment in ASD children. Clinical trial registration: ChiCTR2100051141. What is Known: • Prolonged ST has adverse effects on autistic characteristics and language development. • Neuroimaging technology may help to further explain the role of prolonged ST in ASD. What is New: • This is the first study to explore the impact of ST on intra- and inter-network FC in children with ASD. • ASD children with prolonged ST have atypical changes in intra- and inter-brain network FC.

Screen Time Exposure and the Development of Internalizing and Externalizing Problems in a Sample of Romanian Urban Highschoolers

During the last years we have noticed an increase in screen time for adolescents while questions about its effects on the development of psychological and social problems are starting to be addressed. We hypothesized that increased screen time is associated with heightened display of internalizing and externalizing symptoms. We investigated this association on a sample of 2497 highschoolers recruited from one big city in southern Romania. They filled in a series of items focusing on screen time average exposure, display of depression and anxiety symptoms, involvement in aggressive and delinquent behavior, and family context. The linear regression model showed that, after controlling for individual and family variables, more screen time exposure is associated to heighten depression and anxiety symptoms and more involvement into aggressive behavior. These findings contribute to the research in this new area of interest and may inform the development of prevention and supportive programs for adolescents and their families by adding evidence for clarifying the relationship.

Screen Time and Child Behavioral Disorders During COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review.

The extensive use of various electronic games and communication devices, particularly among children and adolescents, has raised concerns, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study investigated the link between screen time and internalizing disorders, such as anxiety and depression, among individuals aged ≤18 during the global COVID-19 pandemic. This systematic review aims to summarize scientific publications from 2019 to early 2022 by searching databases, including the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and PsycINFO, to identify suitable studies. In each paper, we searched the following keywords and their synonyms: screen, child, high school, middle school, and psychiatric disorders. The quality of the selected papers was evaluated using a checklist recommended by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for observational cohort studies. Out of 986 reports identified, we included 12 papers with 14,483 participants. The study revealed a negative correlation between screen time (TV, computer, video games, and mobile phones) and behavioral outcomes. Smartphones were the most frequently used devices, with video games being more prevalent among older participants for education, communication, and entertainment purposes. The prevalence of depression ranged between 10% and 25%. Furthermore, anxiety and depression were identified as predictors of increased screen usage. Some results displayed variation based on the type of screen exposure, the questionnaires used, and the age of the participants. The findings imply an indirect association between increased screen time and depression and anxiety. It is crucial to consider limitations on screen time exposure and parental supervision as measures to prevent certain mental disorders.

Screen time and preschoolers’ pre-academic and behavioural competence: the moderating role of child characteristics

ABSTRACT Screen time may have a significant association with children’s development, yet limited research has examined the specific moderating role of family and child characteristics in this relationship. In this study, we investigated the relationship between screen time exposure and children’s development and moderating effects of the family environment (e.g. parental involvement, parenting, and marital adjustment) and child characteristics (e.g. gender, only-child status, urban-rural areas, and left behind) on this relationship. A total of 825 Chinese child–parent dyads participated in the study. The results showed a negative relationship between screen time and children’s language and cognitive skills, self-regulation, and self-efficacy and a positive relationship with problem behaviour. Regarding child characteristics, gender moderated the association between screen time and children’s self-regulation; sibling status and urban-rural areas moderated the association between screen time and children’s problem behaviour. Specifically, screen time had more negative associations with the outcomes of boys, children living in urban areas, and those from only-child households. However, the aspect of the family environment did not facilitate or buffer the relationship. The research verifies and extends the association between screen time and preschoolers’ pre-academic and behavioural competence to parental and children’s factors and holds substantive theoretical and practical implications for policymakers and family education research in China.

Associação entre exposição a telas na infância e obesidade pediátrica: uma revisão de literatura

Introduction: Most children are exposed to screens and digital media early and for a longer period than recommended by scientific societies. This phenomenon has several harmful consequences for the health and development of children. Pediatric obesity has been highlighted as one of these effects, which may be related to exposure to screens as a sedentary behavior. Objectives: To search for and describe the evidence in the literature on the relationship between pediatric obesity and exposure to screens in childhood. Methodology: A non-systematic literature review was performed including articles published between 2018 and 2022 in the following databases: Cochrane, PubMed, Scielo and Lilacs. The terms “screen time” and “pediatric obesity” were used as descriptors. Results: Associations were found between screen exposure time and increased waist circumference, body mass index (BMI) and childhood obesity stage. In addition, the use of screens mediated the positive relationship between obesity and the social status of the childrens neighborhood, as well as the relationship between obesity and asthma. Conclusion: Most of the evaluated studies demonstrated a positive association between the use of screens by children and the occurrence of obesity in pediatrics.

Repercussões da pandemia de COVID-19 nas ocupações de pré-escolares

Abstract Introduction The physical distancing resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic led to home confinement and altered the usual ways in which children’s occupations were conducted, depriving them of experiences that promote development. Objective To identify the repercussions of the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic on the preschoolers’ occupations. Method A descriptive, quantitative, cross-sectional study conducted with 35 guardians of 3-year-old preschoolers from the city of Rio de Janeiro. A self-administered questionnaire was used to investigate changes in children's occupations during the initial phase of the pandemic. Results Changes occurred in all occupations investigated: interaction with peers (100%), relatives (94.2%), and participants (91.4%); leisure (97.1%); play (91.4%); eating (88.6%); screen activities (88.6%); physical activities (80%); and sleep (68.6%). There was a reduction/absence of playing in outdoor environments, greater demand for adult participation in play, absence of play with peers, and increased time spent on electronic play. Leisure became less frequent, more restricted, and screen-oriented. Thus, the daily screen exposure time increased. There was a significant absence/decrease of in-person interaction with peers and relatives, a decrease in physical activities (frequency and variety), difficulty in maintaining an organized eating routine, and changes in sleep schedules. These results are discussed and corroborated by current literature on the subject. Conclusion During the initial phase of the pandemic, when physical distancing was more stringent, children faced significant restrictions in their occupations, with limitations in the diversity, quantity, and quality of opportunities for their full development. Therefore, the experience of the pandemic context may have been acted as a hindering force in children’s development.

Screen Time and Socioemotional and Behavioural Difficulties Among Indigenous Children in Canada: Temps d'écran et difficultés socio-émotionnelles et comportementales chez les enfants autochtones du Canada.

To describe screen time levels and determine their association with socioemotional and behavioural difficulties among preschool-aged First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children. Data were taken from the Aboriginal Children's Survey, a nationally representative survey of 2-5-year-old Indigenous children in Canada. Socioemotional and behavioural difficulties were defined using parent/guardian reports on the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted separately for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit participants, and statistically adjusted for child age, child sex, and parent/guardian education. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.002 to adjust for multiple comparisons. Of these 2-5-year-old children (mean [M] = 3.57 years) 3,085 were First Nations (53.5%), 2,430 Métis (39.2%), and 990 Inuit (7.3%). Screen time exposure was high among First Nations (M = 2 h and 58 min/day, standard deviation [SD] = 1.89), Métis (M = 2 h and 50 min [SD = 1.83]), and Inuit children (M = 3 h and 25 min [SD = 2.20]), with 79.7% exceeding recommended guidelines (>1 h/day). After adjusting for confounders, screen time was associated with more socioemotional and behavioural difficulties among First Nations (total difficulties β = 0.15 [95% CI, 0.12 to 0.19]) and Métis (β = 0.16 [95% CI, 0.12 to 0.20]) but not Inuit children (β = 0.12 [95% CI, 0.01 to 0.23]). Screen time exposure is high among Indigenous children in Canada, and is associated with more socioemotional and behavioural difficulties among First Nations and Métis children. Contributing factors could include enduring colonialism that resulted in family dissolution, lack of positive parental role models, and disproportionate socioeconomic disadvantage. Predictors of poor well-being should continue to be identified to develop targets for intervention to optimize the health and development of Indigenous children.

Identifying the predictors of four modes of using digital technologies at 8 years of age: limited, entertainment, creative and emergent

ABSTRACT There is a growing call for research into how digital technology usage during childhood contributes to shaping contemporary digital divides. To our knowledge, the current study is the first to examine ways of maximising children’s chances of developing modes of use that involve greater engagement with more advanced and creative digital activities. Drawing on our prior research identifying four distinct modes of using digital technologies in 8-year-old New Zealand children (Creative, Entertainment, Emergent and Limited), we used hierarchical logistic regression in a large sample (N = 3325) to explore the predictors of these modes of use. Several modifiable screen parenting practices associated with modes of use were identified. Collectively, these results indicate that parents can facilitate more constructive digital technology use by fostering active engagement with screens from an early age, discouraging passive screen time and environmental TV exposure, providing access to laptops or computers, implementing software controls judiciously and adhering to social media age restrictions. Socioeconomic status influenced all four modes of use, highlighting the persistence of first-order digital divides. Together our findings offer insights into how parents can support their children to develop more effective digital skills, which may go some way towards mitigating the impact of digital divides.

Parents' Knowledge On, Attitude Toward, and Practice of Screen Time Exposure Regulation of Their Children Under Six Years of Age in Western Region, Saudi Arabia.

Children and teenagers spend a significant amount of time watching screens, which include cellphones, tablets, gaming consoles, televisions, and computers. Regulation of screen time exposure is a crucial matter to avoid the health drawbacks of prolonged screen exposure. Assessment of parents' knowledge, attitude, and practice of regulation screen exposure among their children under six years old in the western region of Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was conducted on a convenience sample of 451 parents of under-six-year-old children in the western region of Saudi Arabia. Data were collected by using an online questionnaire, and a link to the survey was distributed to respondents via electronic platforms as well as to primary healthcare visitors. The data were analyzed using SPSS software. This study included 451 parents from the Saudi western region. Most of the participating parents were female (64.3%), aged 25-34 years (34.8%), married (86.0%), and had completed their university education (56.1%). This study found that 76.4% of parents had adequate knowledge, 73.1% had a positive attitude, and 69.8% had adequate practice of screen time regulation for their children under six years of age. Factors associated with their good knowledge include being married (p = 0.002), having government work (p = 0.020), having children who use mobile phones, and having children attend kindergarten (p <0.001) for each. Furthermore, highly educated parents showed more positive attitudes than others (p-value = 0.004). Finally, better practice of screen time regulation was noted among highly educated parents (p = 0.011), who had government jobs (p = 0.031), and children who went to kindergarten (p = 0.031) for their children. In this study, parents of under-six-year-old children possessed overall good knowledge and a positive attitude, but their actual practice of screen time regulation for their children was low, specifically in terms of parental supervision of the content that children watch, their care of children's regular exercise, and using devices as a method for motivating or punishing their children. Additionally, sociodemographic characteristics like education, occupation, and marital status played a role in this issue. Healthcare professionals such as pediatricians, family doctors, general practitioners, and others can caution parents of young children under six years old about the harmful consequences of excessive screen use. Further longitudinal research is needed to understand the long-term effects of screen time exposure among young children. From this study, further qualitative research would aid in a greater understanding of the impact of parental knowledge, attitude, and practice on their children's use of screen time.

Associations between nature exposure, screen use, and parent–child relations: a scoping review protocol

BackgroundToday’s youth are growing up in an evolving digital world, and concerns about the potential detrimental effects of excessive screen use on biopsychosocial outcomes in childhood are mounting. Parents worry about the impacts of screen-use on their children’s wellbeing but at the same time frequently fail to meet their own ideal screen time limits regarding their children’s screen use. There is an opportunity to shift research focus away from inflexible and often unrealistic childhood screen time guidelines towards exploration of positive parenting strategies that may have multiple beneficial and significant effects on children’s screen-related outcomes. An emerging body of literature suggests that screen time and nature exposure act on psychosocial outcomes in contrasting ways. There is evidence to suggest that exposure to natural environments may counteract some of the potential negative psychosocial effects of excessive screen use; however, this relationship is poorly understood. The overarching aim of this scoping review is to source, categorise, and synthesise existing research exploring the associations between nature exposure, screen use, and parenting across childhood.MethodsThis mixed-methods systematic scoping review will be conducted following Arksey and O’Malley’s framework with methodological enhancements from Levac and associates and recommendations from the Joanna Briggs Institute’s methodological guidance for conducting scoping reviews. Five electronic databases will be searched from August 2022 onwards. Two reviewers will independently screen titles, abstracts, and full-text articles. Peer reviewed articles related to the constructs of nature exposure, screen use, and parent/child relations will be considered in the context of early to late childhood. Study characteristics will be collated using a data charting tool collaboratively developed by the research team. Evidence will be presented using tabular and textual form and described using qualitative thematic analysis.DiscussionThis review will gather information about how key definitions are conceptualised, defined, and measured across the literature and map existing trends and areas for future research. It is intended that this review will inform and guide future research direction, recommendations, and programs aimed at supporting parents to navigate the challenges of parenting in a digital age.OSF registrationhttps://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/TFZDV

Different types of screen time, physical activity, and incident dementia, Parkinson’s disease, depression and multimorbidity status

BackgroundSeveral previous studies have shown that excessive screen time is associated with an increased prevalence of dementia, Parkinson’s disease (PD), and depression. However, the results have been inconsistent. This study aimed to prospectively investigate the association between different types of screen time and brain structure, as well as the incidence of dementia, Parkinson’s disease, depression, and their multimorbidity status.MethodsWe included 473,184 participants initially free of dementia, PD, and depression from UK Biobank, as well as 39,652 participants who had magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data. Screen time exposure variables including TV viewing and computer using were self-reported by participants. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate the association between different types of screen time and the incidence of dementia, Parkinson’s disease, depression, and their multimorbidity status. Multiple linear regression models were used to assess the linear relationship between different types of screen time and MRI biomarkers in a subgroup of participants.ResultsDuring the follow up, 6,096, 3,061, and 23,700 participants first incident cases of dementia, PD, and depression respectively. For moderate versus the lowest computer uses, the adjusted HRs (95% CIs) were 0.68 (0.64, 0.72) for dementia, 0.86 (0.79, 0.93) for PD, 0.85 (0.83, 0.88) for depression, 0.64 (0.55, 0.74) for dementia and depression multimorbidity, and 0.59 (0.47, 0.74) for PD and depression multimorbidity. The multivariable HRs (95% CIs) for the highest versus the lowest group of TV viewing time were 1.28 (1.17, 1.39) for dementia, 1.16 (1.03, 1.29) for PD, 1.35 (1.29, 1.40) for depression, 1.49 (1.21, 1.84) for dementia and depression multimorbidity, and 1.44 (1.05, 1.97) for PD and depression multimorbidity. Moderate computer using time was negatively associated with white matter hyperintensity volume (β = -0.042; 95% CI -0.067, -0.017), and positively associated with hippocampal volume (β = 0.059; 95% CI 0.034, 0.084). Participants with the highest TV viewing time were negatively associated with hippocampal volume (β = -0.067; 95% CI -0.094, -0.041). In isotemporal substitution analyses, substitution of TV viewing or computer using by equal time of different types of PA was associated with a lower risk of all three diseases, with strenuous sports showing the strongest benefit.ConclusionWe found that moderate computer use was associated with a reduced risk of dementia, PD, depression and their multimorbidity status, while increased TV watching was associated with a higher risk of these disease. Notably, different screen time may affect the risk of developing diseases by influencing brain structures. Replacing different types of screen time with daily-life PA or structured exercise is associated with lower dementia, PD, and depression risk.