Relationship between Screen Viewing Time and Physical and Behavioural Complains among School Children in the Selected Schools of Goa

Description

A. B. Navim¹ and Ana Maria Vaz De Braganca² (Institute of Nursing Education, Bambolim, Goa¹ and Institute of Nursing Education, Margao, Goa²)

New technologies, such as mobile and interactive screen media are currently ingrained in every individual’s daily routine. Children today are “digital natives”; having been born into an ever-changing digital ecosystem. The study examines the relationship between Screen Viewing Time (SVT) and the physical and behavioural complains among school children. In this quantitative descriptive research, 350 school children and 350 parents who consented were purposively selected. Data was collected through self-administration of Child Self-Report of Physical Complain Scale (CSRPCS) and Parenteral Report of Child Behaviour Complain Scale (PRCBCS) related to screen use. Both the scales were developed by the researchers and tested for validity (CSRPCS SCV I = 0.903 & PRCBCS SCV I = 0.95) and reliability (CSRPCS α = 0.740 & PRCBCS α = 0.831). Data analysis using paired response of 229 children and 229 respective parents revealed highest (89%) usage of Smartphone. In duration, Television usage for less than 2 hours was reported by children (51.1%) and parents (59.8%). Significant weak positive correlation was identified between SVT and physical complains (‘r’ = 0.152; p< 0.022). No significant correlation was found between SVT and behavioural complains (‘r’ = 0.094 at p < 0.156). Majority parent reported none behavioural complains except for loss of temper and irritability among school children. Significant association is noted between physical complains and sleeping hours of children and religion; and between behavioural complains and parental report of child’s average SVT, average parental SVT, religion, quality time spent with child and birth order. The findings highlight the need for structured SVT regulations, parental and school based digital literacy initiatives to mitigate the adverse effects of unhealthy screen use.