Effect of Prolonged Screen Time in Children: Developmental and Behavioral Concern
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.3329/bmrcb.v51i1.79685Keywords:
Screen time, children’s developmental problem, behavioral changesAbstract
Background: Prolonged screen time (time spent on digital devices) among children has become a global concern due to its detrimental effects on their development and behavior.
Objective: This study investigated the adverse effects of prolonged screen time in children.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 153 parents from Defence Services Command and Staff College, Mirpur Cantonment, Dhaka, Bangladesh; who had at least one child aged 1 to 12 years. Data were collected during August to October 2022 from the parents about their children’s screen time, developmental and behavioral issues by using a self-administered questionnaire. Statistical analysis included descriptive methods and the Chi-square test, with a significance threshold of p-value ≤0.05.
Results: The mean age of the participants (parents) was 32.99 ± 3.49 years, majority being women (66%). Female parents and parents who were homemaker or had higher educational background, more likely reported their children to be on excessive screen time. In 56% of cases, no adverse developmental or behavioral issues were observed. Parents identified speech delay (17%), aggressive behavior (13%), poor communication (9%), hyperactivity (7%), screen addiction for feeding (7%), vision problems (4%), inattention to study (4%) and sleep disturbances (3%) as common adverse effects of excess screen time exposure in their children. Aggressive behavior, poor communication, addiction on screens during feeding were found strongly associated with prolonged screen time (≥2 hour per day) use in children. Children of most participants (87%) had access to smartphones, with 52% usage reported for recreational purpose.
Conclusion: The growing prevalence of excessive screen use among children in Bangladesh is associated with various developmental problem (speech delay and poor communication) and behavioral changes (aggressive behavior, hyperactivity, screen addiction for feeding, visual & sleep disturbance, inattention to study). Parents should play the pivotal role in managing screen time to mitigate these negative outcomes.
Bangladesh Medical Res Counc Bull 2025;51(1):11-17
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