Peer-reviewed article

A scoping review of healthcare provider-led interventions for managing young children's screen time.

Alshamrani AM, Brown M, Perra O, Fosker T · 21 Jul 2026

Abstract

Background Excessive use of screens by children has become a critical concern because of its potential impact on their health and well-being. This appears to be a global problem with many young children far exceeding international screen time guidelines. Caregivers' interventions may play a pivotal role in managing children's screen time. However, to develop these interventions, the key design elements that contribute to their successful implementation across different countries and cultural contexts need to be identified. Therefore, this review aims to identify the range of healthcare provider-led intervention strategies for caregivers to manage children's screen time. Methods A scoping literature review was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) guidelines and adhering to PRISMA-ScR guidelines (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews). Employing six databases: CINAHL, PsycINFO, ERIC, Medline, Maternity and Infant Care, and Cochrane, ten studies published between 2012 and 2023 were identified that met the review eligibility criteria. Results Six characteristics of the interventions were systematically extracted and narratively reviewed: (1) available interventions for caregivers; (2) theoretical models used in the intervention design; (3) sociocultural considerations; (4) barriers to intervention implementation (5) facilitators to intervention implementation; and (6) implementation strategies for intervention sustainability. Conclusion This review provides a comprehensive overview of key elements used in healthcare provider-led interventions and identifies significant gaps, including the absence of evidence from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The findings emphasise the importance of culturally informed, flexible, and caregiver-centred approaches in future intervention development and evaluation. Trial registration The scoping review protocol was not pre-registered.