Use of Electronic Entertainment and Communication Devices Among a Saudi Pediatric Population: Cross-Sectional Study

Amawi, Sami Omar; Subki, Ahmed Hussein; Khatib, Hazim Abdulkarim; Alkhateeb, Omer Sameer; Fida, Rida Hashim; Saggaf, Omar Mohammed; Jan, Mohammed M.

doi:10.2196/ijmr.9103

Cited by 8 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…The aforementioned situation is similar in Saudi Arabia (SA), where the use of communication or electronic entertainment devices is particularly common in the pediatric population (2). Technology usage might impose a negative influence on child's psychosocial development.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of Technology Use on Behavior and Sleep Scores in Preschool Children in Saudi Arabia

et al. 2021

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Background: Pre-school children use digital devices both at home and in kindergarten for communication. However, such technologies can also be used for creativity learning and entertainment. Technology usage might exert a negative impact on the psychosocial development of pre-school children, thus necessitating parental monitoring. Previous studies have recommended early intervention for pre-school children by decreasing the duration of digital devices, spending more time with the family, and participation in motor activities to avoid the ill effects of technology.Aim: To investigate the impact of digital device use on the behavioral and sleep scores of preschool children as perceived by parents in Saudi Arabia (SA).Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted across two regions in SA. It was ethically approved by the ethical review board of Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University. The participants were randomly selected from well-baby hospital records, surveyed and interviewed to obtain data for the following measures: demographic data, technology usage, sleep disturbance scale, and behavior scale. Children with special needs or comorbidities were excluded from the study. Descriptive and multivariate regression analysis were done.Results: We recruited 288 children. Most did not attend schools (63.2%), 22.6% were in kindergarten, and 14.2% were in nursery schools. Smart phones were the most commonly used device by the children (42.4%). Most used the technology for 2–3 h/days (34%). Cartoons were the most commonly sought content (42%). The behavior scores for children aged 18–36 months showed a mean value of 5.1, 3.7, and 4.6 for surgency, negative affect, and effortful control, respectively. Children aged 3–5 years showed a mean value of 4.3, 4, and 4.7 for surgency, negative affect, and effortful control, respectively. Sleep disturbance scores for all children showed a mean value of 12.4, 3.5, 3.8, 8, 7.3, and 2.7 on disorders of initiating and maintaining sleep, sleep-breathing disorders, disorders of arousal, sleep-wake transition disorders, disorders of excessive somnolence, and sleep hyperhidrosis, respectively. The mean total sleep score was 37. Multivariate regression analysis showed significant positive relationship between surgency and three factors namely family income of 10,000–15,000 SR (t = 1.924, p = 0.045), fathers' bachelor's degrees (t = 2.416, p = 0.16), and owning a video game device (t = 2.826, p = 0.005<0.05). Negative affect was significantly associated with fathers' diploma level of education (t = 2.042, p = 0.042). Negative significant relationship between effortful control and fathers' secondary level of education (t = −2.053, p = 0.041). There was a significant negative relationship between effortful control and owning a TV and video game device (t = −2.35, −2.855, p = 0.043, 0.005<0.05, respectively). A significant positive relationship was found between child's sleeping score (worse sleep) and watching technology between 3 and 5 h (t = 2.01, p = 0.045), and mothers' unemployment status (t = 2.468, p = 0.014).Conclusion: In conclusion, technology use is associated with a negative impact on children sleep and behavior. Owning a digital device, using tablets, screen viewing for more than 3–5 h, and watching movies were significantly associated with negative child's behavior and sleep.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of Technology Use on Behavior and Sleep Scores in Preschool Children in Saudi Arabia

et al. 2021

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“…Extended periods of digital device usage (> 6 h) seem to be a significant risk factor for eye strain in the current study. Other studies from Saudi Arabia reported defined extended duration of digital device usage as more than 4 h and still reported high rates of eye strain [ 12 , 29 – 31 ]. This relationship between the duration of digital devices usage and eye strain has prompted some experts to suggest a reduction in the number of hours spent in front of computers and other devices to mitigate the risk of serious visual problems [ 20 , 26 ].…”

Section: Discussion/conclusionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Population perceived eye strain due to digital devices usage during COVID-19 pandemic

et al. 2022

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Purpose: To assess the magnitude severity and determinants of eyestrain and the use of digital devices in a Saudi population during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.Methods: This web-based survey was conducted in September 2020 and enrolled only Saudi nationals 15 years or older. Data were collected on demographics, eye strain related symptoms, severity, and the use of optical aids during the COVID-19 lockdown. The frequency and severity of eye strain were calculated. A Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) score was graded as none/ mild moderate and severe, based on the sum of 15-eye strain related signs and symptoms. Correlation analysis was performed for determinants of CVS.Results: The study sample was comprised of 2,009 individuals with median age of 20 years. Among those who used digital devices for more than 6 hours daily, the main reasons for use were, work and social purposes among 68.4%, and 61% of respondents respectively. The prevalence of knowledge on CVS and the '20-20 rule for using digital devices' was 9.4% and 6.9 respectively. The most common symptoms of eye strain from digital device usage were, headache, burning, itching, tearing, and redness of eyes. Six hours of daily usage of digital devices was positively associated to the grade of eye strain severity during the COVID-19 lockdown (P<0.05)). Conclusion:The Saudi population experienced eye strain during COVID-19 lockdown due to excessive digital devices usage. Longer duration of digital device usage was associated to eye strain. Health care providers should educate the general population on measures to mitigate eye strain due to digital devices.

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“…These screen time guidelines are based on studies that continue to show the association between screen time in early childhood and language delay (Duch et al, 2013;Zimmerman, Christakis, Meltzoff, 2007). However, many Saudi parents lack awareness of screen time restrictions and their impacts on children's development (Amawi et al, 2018). This study aims to describe screen time's impact and its association with language development among preschool-age children in Saudi Arabia.…”

Section: Acknowledgmentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Previous studies conducted in Saudi Arabia have examined language delay and social factors, including TV exposure in general (AlFadhli & AlBunaian, 2017). Another study examined screen time and behavioral issues for an older age group (8-15 years old) (Amawi et al, 2018). Furthermore, previous studies in other countries have investigated screen time in reference to TV alone.…”

Section: Significance Of the Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

The Impact of Screen Time on Language Development among Preschool-Age Saudi Children

Alibrahim¹

2023

AWEJ

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Young children are growing up in a new era of technology with increasing exposure to touch screen devices. In this study, investigated whether exposure to screen time is associated with children’s early language development. Fifty caregivers of Saudi children aged 24-60 months completed a media exposure questionnaire and language screening survey. Thirty percent needed learning activities, while four percent had a language delay and needed further assessment. Data analysis revealed that spending more than two hours using a mobile device predict language delay (P = 0.034); children of working mothers had low language scores compared to children of housewives (P = 0.005); children who were watching entertainment videos on YouTube had lower language scores than children who watched educational videos (P = 0.049). Thus, the evidence suggests screen time quantity and quality correlate with language development among young Saudi children.

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Use of Electronic Entertainment and Communication Devices Among a Saudi Pediatric Population: Cross-Sectional Study

Cited by 8 publications

References 18 publications

Impact of Technology Use on Behavior and Sleep Scores in Preschool Children in Saudi Arabia

Impact of Technology Use on Behavior and Sleep Scores in Preschool Children in Saudi Arabia

Population perceived eye strain due to digital devices usage during COVID-19 pandemic

The Impact of Screen Time on Language Development among Preschool-Age Saudi Children

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