Determining Screen Time of Children Between 3-9 Years During COVID-19 Pandemic And Investigation of Factors Related To Screen Time

ABSTRACT

Objective: The first COVID-19 case in Turkey was detected on March 11, 2020, and measures were taken to prevent the epidemic's progression. As the schools were closed and curfew was imposed on children with periodically updated bans, children had to spend more time at home during the day. In the study, we aimed to determine how the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced the screen time of children aged 3-9 in Turkey and examine the factors affecting screen time. Material(s) and Method(s) This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between May 3, 2020, and May 30, 2020. Throughout Turkey, mothers or fathers with at least one child between the ages of 3 and 9 were invited to the online survey via social media, telephone message groups, or e-mail. The parents who voluntarily answered the online questionnaire constituted the study participants. Result(s) A total of 9483 parents with children between the ages of 3 and 9 participated in the study. It was determined that 82.9% of the children participating in the study had increased screen time compared to the pre-pandemic period. The mean increase in screen time was 151+/-96 minutes/day. The increase was more than one hour per day in 74.9% of the participants (n=5122). The average daily screen time of the children participating in the study on the dates specified during the pandemic period was 193+/-124, the average time spent for online education was 67+/-62 minutes/day, and for leisure activities with the screen was 133+/-121 minutes/day. Screen time was significantly higher in children whose parent did not have a plan for child's screen use (OR 3.085, 95% CI, 2.723 to 3.494, p<.001) or children who did not use the screen under parental control (OR 1.533, 95% CI, 1.352 to 1.73, p<.001). Conclusion(s) During the pandemic, daily screen time increased in a significant number of children, and the time they spent in front of the screen was relatively high. The purpose and duration of screen use varied between preschoolers and school children. Parental attitudes and behaviors were related to children's screen time during the pandemic period. Copyright © 2022 Ankara Pediatric Hematology Oncology Training and Research Hospital. All rights reserved.