Children and Adolescent’s Perception of Media Device Use Consequences

Abstract

Media device (MD) use is increasing worldwide among children. Adolescents and young children spend a lot of time using MD, Internet, and social networks. The age of initial use is getting lower to 12 years old. The aim of this research is to study children’s use and perception of MD. The Italian Paediatric Society (SIP) conducted a Survey on Italian children in collaboration with Skuola.net using an online questionnaire. A total of 10,000 questionnaires were completed. Children admitted they spend more than 3 h (41%), more than 2 h (29%), more than 1 h (21%) and less than 1 h (9%) daily. Problematic MD use has been found with children using MD before sleeping (38%), during school (24%), and at wake up in the morning (21%). Addiction was documented in 14% of adolescents. Among the reported consequences, low academic outcomes, and reduced concentration (24%), neck and back pain (12%), insomnia (10%), and mood disturbances (7%) were referred. Adolescents may have a low perception of the risks related to excessive MD. The duration of time spent using media devices is a main risk factor. In this context, parents should strongly discourage excessive MD use, mainly during school, at bedtime, and wake-up. Additionally, parents should be informed and start conversations with their children on the potential negative effects of prolonged MD use.

The Use of Social Media in Children and Adolescents: Scoping Review on the Potential Risks

“…Media device use is increasing year by year in Italy as well as in many other countries. An ISTAT report referred that in 2019, 85.8% of Italian adolescents aged 11–17 years regularly used smartphones, and over 72% accessed Internet via smartphones [ 1 ]. Almost 95% of Italian families with a child had a broadband internet connection [ 2 ].…”

“…Almost 95% of Italian families with a child had a broadband internet connection [ 2 ]. Internet connection was mostly used to communicate with friends and to use social networks [ 1 ]. In 2020, COVID-19 pandemic represented one of the greatest disruptions for everybody’s everyday life, in Italy as well as all around the world.…”

“…A recent survey conducted by the Italian Society of Pediatrics in collaboration with State Police and Skuola.net investigated the relationship with media devices in times of pandemic, investigating the habits of adolescents on the use of media and social networks, underlined that 15% of them declared they “cannot stay without” their own media device [ 1 ].…”

Physical activity, screen time and the incidence of neck and shoulder pain in school-aged children

“…Our finding that self-reported screen time was associated with NSP during the first but not the second follow-up year might be partly explained by the development of the children. For example, the use of mobile phones by children and adolescents has been reported to be predominantly a social recreation (73%), and children under the age of 15 appear to have more difficult giving up media devices than older children 31 . This may also be due to the increased awareness of older children about their negative relationship with the media device 31 .…”

“…For example, the use of mobile phones by children and adolescents has been reported to be predominantly a social recreation (73%), and children under the age of 15 appear to have more difficult giving up media devices than older children 31 . This may also be due to the increased awareness of older children about their negative relationship with the media device 31 . Ståhl et al (2008) have also found fluctuation in neck pain in children 6 .…”