Screen Time Among Children: A Cross-Sectional Study Across Age, Gender, And Urban–Rural Setting

Abstract

Background: Excessive screen exposure during early childhood may adversely affect language, social interaction, attention, sleep, and behavioural development. This study assessed and compared screen time among children according to age, gender, and urban–rural residence.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 200 children aged 0–6 years attending selected paediatric vaccination clinics and primary schools in Pune city and surrounding districts. Participants were selected by purposive sampling after obtaining informed consent and Institutional Ethics Committee approval. Sociodemographic data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Screen time was assessed using the validated Screen Time Measuring Questionnaire (STMQ) developed by Raje and Sontakke (2023). Screen exposure was categorized as recommended or high according to age-specific recommendations. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS version 29.0. The Chi-square test was used to assess associations, with p <0.05 considered statistically significant.

Results: Of the 200 children, 100 (50.0%) were boys and 100 (50.0%) were girls; 101 (50.5%) were from urban and 99 (49.5%) from rural areas. Overall, 134 (67.0%) children had high screen time, while 66 (33.0%) had recommended screen time. High screen time was observed in 73.7% of children aged <2 years and 64.3% of those aged ≥2 years (χ²=1.611, p=0.204). It was reported in 69.0% of boys and 65.0% of girls (χ²=0.362, p=0.547), and in 70.6% of rural and 63.4% of urban children (χ²=1.218, p=0.270). None of these associations were statistically significant.

Conclusion: High screen time was prevalent among young children, irrespective of age, gender, or place of residence.