Relationship between Digital Screen Time and Behavioral Disorders in Preschool Children

Abstract

Background and purpose: 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. Materials and methods: 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 Children's Behavior Questionnaire-Parent version was administered. Results: 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. Child's gender and mother's employment and educational level were significantly associated with children screen time (P0.05). Conclusion: According to this study, restricting the time spent on any form of digital media can be effective in reduction of behavioral disorders in children.

Keywords

• digital media
• child
• preschool
• behavior
• disorder
• screen time