“Hyperconnected” adolescents: sedentary screen time according to gender and type of day

Abstract

The research objective was to know the mean daily usage time of screen-based devices (Television [TV], computer, video games, and mobile phone), as well as compliance with screen time recommendations for these devices. Likewise, the differences in the four electronic devices were examined according to gender and type of day (i.e., weekdays and weekend). A total of 2021 adolescents (M age=14.23; SD=1.58; 51% female) completed a questionnaire on regular screen time usage. The young people reported a mean daily screen usage of 6 hours and 12 minutes, with 4% of them meeting screen time recommendations (<2 hours/day). No differences in total screen time usage were obtained according to gender. However, boys obtained higher values in the use of video games, while girls obtained higher values in the use of mobile phones and computers. Adolescents reported higher screen time values at weekends than on weekdays in terms of all four electronic devices analysed. On the basis of the high daily screen usage time, developing strategies towards the responsible use of video games in boys, and mobile phones and computers in girls, seems necessary, placing emphasis on weekend days.