Pinky Meena1, Piyush Gupta2, Dheeraj Shah1. 1. Department of Pediatrics, University College of Medical Sciences and Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, Delhi, India. 2. Department of Pediatrics, University College of Medical Sciences and Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, Delhi, India. Correspondence to: Prof. Piyush Gupta, Professor and Head, Department of Pediatrics, UCMS and GTB hospital, Delhi 110 095, India. prof.piyush.gupta@gmail.com.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and practices of exposure to screen-based media in children by 15-18 months of age. METHODS: This observational descriptive study was conducted from March to August, 2019. Mothers of 370 healthy developmentally normal children (15-18 months of age) were enrolled during their visit to immunization clinic of a medical college affiliated hospital. Parental response to a semi-structured questionnaire was recorded to assess the initiation, frequency and duration of screen exposure, and related parental perceptions. RESULTS: 369 (99.7%) children were exposed to screen-based media till 18 months of age, starting from median (IQR) age of 10 (8, 12) months. Smartphone and television were being viewed by 354 (96%) and 328 (89%) children, respectively. Screen time was >1 hour/day in 328 (88.7%) and >2 hours/day in 209 (56.5%) children (median (IQR): 120 (80, 180) minutes/d). Most (72%) parents were not concerned with their child's screen time. CONCLUSION: Almost all young children seem to be exposed to screen-based media by 18 months of age in the urban setting. Extensive use of screen-based media by young children calls for formulation of guidelines on toddlers' screen use and their dissemination to parents.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and practices of exposure to screen-based media in children by 15-18 months of age. METHODS: This observational descriptive study was conducted from March to August, 2019. Mothers of 370 healthy developmentally normal children (15-18 months of age) were enrolled during their visit to immunization clinic of a medical college affiliated hospital. Parental response to a semi-structured questionnaire was recorded to assess the initiation, frequency and duration of screen exposure, and related parental perceptions. RESULTS: 369 (99.7%) children were exposed to screen-based media till 18 months of age, starting from median (IQR) age of 10 (8, 12) months. Smartphone and television were being viewed by 354 (96%) and 328 (89%) children, respectively. Screen time was >1 hour/day in 328 (88.7%) and >2 hours/day in 209 (56.5%) children (median (IQR): 120 (80, 180) minutes/d). Most (72%) parents were not concerned with their child's screen time. CONCLUSION: Almost all young children seem to be exposed to screen-based media by 18 months of age in the urban setting. Extensive use of screen-based media by young children calls for formulation of guidelines on toddlers' screen use and their dissemination to parents.