Relationship between Digital Screen Time and Behavioral Disorders in Preschool Children

The risks of exposure to digital media in children are increasing in Iran and worldwide. This study aimed at evaluating the screen time of digital media and its association with behavioral problems in preschoolers.

A cross-sectional correlational study was performed in 274 preschoolers selected via randomized cluster sampling in two centers covered by the Ministry of Education and two centers supervised by Welfare Directorate in Kerman, Iran during the academic year 2018-2019. Demographic information was obtained and Rutter Childrenchr('39')s Behavior Questionnaire-Parent version was administered.

In this study, 76.4% of the children used digital media more than two hours per day and the usage rate of the 23.6% was less than two hours per day. Childchr('39')s gender and motherchr('39')s employment and educational level were significantly associated with children screen time (P<0.05). Total score for behavioral disorders and the aggression dimension were clearly associated with time spent viewing television (P<0.05). Playing with a tablet device more two hours per day was significantly related to anti-social behaviors (P<0.05). Moreover, playing with a smartphone for over two hours per day was significantly related to anxiety, anti-social behaviors, and total score for behavioral problems (P<0.05). No significant difference was found between the mean scores of the Rutter scale and screen time (P>0.05).

According to this study, restricting the time spent on any form of digital media can be effective in reduction of behavioral disorders in children.