Peer-reviewed article
Navigating the Digital Age: Insights of Mothers on Screen Time and Child Well-Being
Abha Shirish Khisty, Zafar Azeem, Rucha Choudhari, Tushar J. Palekar ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study surveyed 200 mothers of young children in India about their views on screen time and child well-being. Most mothers were aware of potential harms from excessive screen use, including physical problems like eye strain and poor posture, and mental health concerns like depression and anxiety. The research highlights the need for balanced guidance on healthy screen use in early childhood. The study captures parental concerns but does not test or evaluate any intervention.
Key points
- 92.1% of mothers recognised the risk of eye problems from screen time
- 87.75% noted potential for back, neck, and shoulder pain
- 89.7% understood impact on poor posture
- 86.7% were aware that excessive screen exposure could lead to depression and anxiety
- 75.9% acknowledged a possible link to autism-like symptoms
Limitations
This is a perception study based on mothers' awareness and beliefs, not on actual measurement of children's health outcomes or screen exposure. The study cannot determine whether mothers' concerns are evidence-based or how their awareness translates into actual parenting practices.
Abstract
A BSTRACT Background: This observational study investigates how novice mothers perceive the impact of screen time on their children’s well-being. With digital devices becoming more common in households, understanding parental perspectives is vital for promoting healthy developmental environments. Methods: The study utilized a self-constructed Likert-type screen-time awareness questionnaire, whose content and face validity were assessed, to interview 200 mothers with children aged between 1 and 6 years. The focus was on understanding perceived benefits and concerns related to screen usage. Results: The study found that 92.1% of mothers recognized the risk of eye problems from screen time, 87.75% noted its potential to cause pain in the back, neck, and shoulders, and 89.7% understood its impact on poor posture. Additionally, 86.7% of mothers were aware that excessive screen exposure could lead to mental health issues like depression and anxiety, and 75.9% acknowledged a possible link to autism-like symptoms. Conclusion: The findings highlight the need for balanced guidelines that promote positive screen interactions while reducing negative effects. This research adds to the broader discussion on digital parenting strategies and child development.