Publication:

Screens — a technological advancement: a study on screen time in the pediatric population of the Himalayan state, Uttarakhand

Background In the modern era, children’s proclivity towards screen-based devices is steadily increasing. Excessive screen exposure has raised concerns regarding its impact on physical, social, and behavioural health in the pediatric population.

Methods A 9-month cross-sectional study (July 2019–March 2020) was conducted among 491 children aged 1–18 years attending routine hospital visits. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, including demographic details, BMI, duration of screen time, age at first exposure, context of usage, reactions after screen removal, and associated physical, social, and behavioral changes. Counseling interventions were provided to children exhibiting comorbidities or behavioral issues linked to excessive screen use, along with general awareness based on recommended screen time guidelines.

Results The study included 128 toddlers, 122 pre-school children, 154 school-aged children, and 87 adolescents. Among them, 185 were underweight, 26 overweight, and 37 obese. The majority of children spent 30 minutes to 2 hours daily on television and mobile devices, with a statistically significant association with male gender. A positive correlation was observed between BMI and duration of television (r=0.228, p=0.000) and mobile exposure (r=0.366, p=0.000). Most children were first exposed to screens between 2–3 years of age. Common contexts of screen use included before sleeping and during meals, while adolescents predominantly used screens for recreation. Irritability was the most frequent reaction upon screen removal. Physical effects included loss of appetite and weight loss, while social changes involved altered sleep patterns and reduced attention span. Behavioural changes were most commonly anger, with loneliness being the least reported.

Conclusions Implementation of family screen plans, limiting routine screen time, and promoting screen-free periods are essential strategies to support healthy growth and balanced development in children in the digital age.