Mothers’ and fathers’ media parenting practices associated with young children’s screen-time: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundA major contributor to the growing obesity crisis is screen based sedentary behaviour among young children. Media parenting practices may be an important determinant of children’s screen time, however published research exploring the influence of parenting practices on children’s screen time has mainly focused on children’s television use and the parenting practices of the mother. This study examined children’s use of mobile media devices (as well as television use) and included the role of fathers in media parenting, allowing a fuller understanding of the role mothers’ and fathers’ media parenting practices play on children’s screen time in the current media environment.MethodsSecondary data analysis was conducted using data from 62 children between 1.5 and 5 years of age and their parents (39 mothers, 25 fathers), who were part of the Guelph Family Health Study - phase 2 pilot. Linear regression using generalized estimating equations was used to examine associations between media parenting practices and children’s weekday and weekend screen-time.ResultsMothers’ screen-time modeling, mealtime screen use, and use of screens to control behaviour were positively associated with children’s weekday screen-time. Mothers’ practices of monitoring screen-time and limiting screen-time were inversely associated with children’s weekday screen-time. Fathers’ mealtime screen use was positively associated with children’s weekday screen-time; whereas fathers’ monitoring screen-time and limiting setting were inversely associated with children’s weekday screen-time. Fathers’ modeling and use of screens to control behaviour was not significantly associated with children’s weekday screen time. While most associations were similar for weekend day screen time there were a few differences: Fathers’ use of screens to control behaviour was positively associated with children’s weekend screen-time. Mothers’ and fathers’ modeling and mealtime screen use were not significantly associated with children’s weekend screen time.ConclusionMothers’ and fathers’ media parenting practices were associated with children’s screen-time. Interventions aimed at reducing children’s screen-time should address both mothers’ and fathers’ media parenting practices.

Parents’ Beliefs About the Benefits and Detriments of Mobile Screen Technologies for Their Young Children’s Learning: A Focus on Diverse Latine Mothers and Fathers

“…In general, parents thought that by using mediation strategies, such as ensuring their children viewed appropriate content, setting time limits for their children’s use of devices, and continuously monitoring their children while they used a device, they could ensure that their children primarily benefited from using mobile screen devices. Although research exploring parental mediation strategies in the context of mobile screen technologies is still limited, the forms of mediation practices parents in our study described using are consistent with those found in the limited but growing body of research on mobile screen technologies and young children (e.g., Beyens and Beullens, 2017 ; Tang et al, 2018 ; Domoff et al, 2019 ), and those found in the extensive research on TV, which have been primarily been conducted among middle-class, White parents ( Nathanson, 1999 , 2001 ; Warren, 2003 ; Collier et al, 2016 ; Piotrowski, 2017 ). Furthermore, the diverse Latine parents in this study described being cognizant of the important role they play in mediating their children’s use of mobile screen devices.…”

The Role of Recreational Online Activities in School-Based Screen Time Sedentary Behaviour Interventions for Adolescents: A Systematic and Critical Literature Review

“…SBs are implicated in a variety of serious physical health problems-primarily in the context of obesity-and psychopathological conditions. Given the increasing prevalence of severe obesity and time spent gaming (Phan et al 2019), and the increasing recognition of the role of screenbased activities as a major contributor to the obesity epidemic (Sánchez-Oliva et al 2018;Tang et al 2018), the need to address prevention measures and evaluate the efficacy of respective interventions is timely. The purpose of the present review was to identify interventions on screenbased SBs and to elucidate the role of recreational screen behaviours and the way these are targeted within the interventions.…”

First Parental Concerns and Age at Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Retrospective Review from Malaysia

“…Thus, they present later and have a delayed diagnosis. Another explanation for the increased risk of a delayed diagnosis with increased initial screen time is children’s screen time practices are often a reflection of parental screen time practices ( 21 ). Increased use of screen devices by parents can impact parent-child interaction and quality time ( 22 ).…”