The Impact of Screen Time and Mobile Dependency on Cognition, Socialization and Behaviour Among Early Childhood Students During the Covid Pandemic- Perception of the Parents

Abstract

Digital technology systems are adopted rapidly throughout the globe for the virtual learning process especially with the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. Digital screen-based gadgets are integrated to provide a seamless interactive medium of learning even before the initiation of formal education. Studies on the technology use of younger children are critical as uncontrolled gadget use affects their developmental stages yet these studies are still in the infancy stage. This study analyses the psychoeducational impact of extended use of digital gadgets and mobile dependency on early childhood manifested through their cognition, socialization and behaviour. This descriptive study is based on the random responses of 511 parents about their young children of 3-6 years distributed at five civil districts of Kerala State. From the analysis, it is found that the extended use of digital gadgets influenced young children’s mobile dependency, socialization process, cognition and behaviour patterns. The young children exhibited alienation tendencies and behavioural deviations which are correlated to their screen time. Both male and female reported similar results. Significant differences were observed with respect to the age of the children and their parental characteristics. Their mobile dependency mediated their extended digital Screen Time to the Behaviour. Significant relation was predicted by extended Screen Time on Behaviour of the students with a partial sequential path through mobile Dependency, Cognition and Socialization. The study shed light on the urgency of parental care and implementation of a balanced gadget usage system to reduce the detrimental impacts of psychoeducational factors.

The impact of screen time on children’s well-being development: a scoping review

“…In 2021, the number of studies significantly increased to n=9 [19]- [27]. The number of studies remained consistent in 2022 with n=9 [28]- [36], and in 2023 with n=9 studies [37]- [45] respectively. The increase in the number of studies from 2019 to 2023 indicates that research on children's screen time continued to be a priority.…”

“…The United States has the highest number of studies with n=7 [18], [20], [33], [38], [40], [42], [43]. India follows this with n=5 studies [15], [17], [29], [36], [41]. There are n=3 studies found in Pakistan [24], [26], [28] suggesting a growing awareness of the importance of understanding children's screen time in the country.…”

“…This review indicates that the survey is the highest research approach used for collecting data on screen time behaviours with n=15 [12], [16]- [19], [22], [23], [25], [27], [30], [32], [34], [38], [40], [44], In addition, the cross-sectional study indicates n=8 studies [28], [29], [31], [23], [35], [24], [41], [26] and interviews with n=5 studies [20], [12], [23], [43], [45] respectively. Meanwhile, n=3 studies [14], [21], [37], were found to apply the longitudinal study and n=2 studies used the descriptive study [17], [36] respectively. Other research approaches used were focus group discussions [15], Path Analysis [13] and self-reported observations [42] with one study each.…”

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the well-being of preschoolers: A parental guide

“…Such digital platforms can aid language production, improve comprehension, and letter-object recognition in an entertaining manner. The use of digital gadgets should be planned timely [ 1 ] by the parents/caretakers to ensure that the needs of developing children are met, and they are not involved with these gadgets throughout the day. Physical activity and the feeling of natural surroundings and spending time with the family and social interaction [ 152 ] are also very important and should not be neglected for a healthy daily routine [ 153 ].…”

Screen Time and Health Impact among Preschool Children

“…Exposure to violent or aggressive content on screens may contribute to the development of aggressive behaviour in young children (Djalalinia et al, 2020). Several studies conducted in India during COVID lockdown reported that the extended use of digital gadgets influenced young children's mobile dependency, socialisation process, cognition, behaviour patterns and exhibited isolation tendencies and behavioural abnormalities among children (Joseph et. al., 2022); more screen time associate with 25.53% higher risk of demanding extra attention, temper tantrums (21.31%), increased aggressiveness (19.90%), became fussier (18.74%) and clinging (18.27%) (Gunasekaran et al, 2022).…”