The Dark Side of the Web—A Risk for Children and Adolescents Challenged by Isolation during the Novel Coronavirus 2019 Pandemic

Ferrara, Pietro; Franceschini, Giulia; Corsello, Giovanni; Meštrović, Julije; Giardino, Ida; Vural, Mehmet; Pop, Tudor Lucian; Namazova-Baranova, Leyla; Pettoello‐Mantovani, Massimo

doi:10.1016/j.jpeds.2020.10.008

Cited by 33 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Smartphone overuse may have many negative effects [28,29]. It may cause cyberbullying, hikikomori, and different neuropsychological and social problems, such as depression, eating and anxiety disorders, low self-con dence, stress, insecurity and solitude, which adversely affect children's and adolescents' development and construction of identity [30][31][32][33][34]. School performances may also be negatively in uenced by inappropriate use of smartphones, which may lead young people to spend their time unproductively, to be less concentrated and to have a more super cial approach to learning [33,35].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Smartphone use and addiction during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic: cohort study on 184 Italian children and adolescents

Serra

Scalzo

Giuffrè

et al. 2021

Preprint

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BackgroundThe lives of many children and adolescents are today increasingly influenced by new technological devices, including smartphones. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‑19) pandemic occurred in a time of outstanding scientific progress and global digitalization. Young people had relevant adverse psychological and behavioral effects due to the COVID-19 pandemic, mainly related to infection control measures, which led them to spend more time at home and with major use of technological tools. The goal this study proposes is to evaluate health and social outcomes of smartphone overuse among Italian children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic, analyzing patterns and aims of utilization, as well as the eventual presence and degree of addiction.MethodsThis study was based on a self-report and anonymous questionnaire, which was administered to 184 Italian school-age (6-18 years) children and adolescents during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The test was electronically (email, whatsapp) explained and sent by pediatricians either directly to older children (middle and high school), or indirectly, through the help of teachers, to younger ones (primary school). All participants spontaneously and voluntarily joined the present study. The survey was made by 4 sections, and designed to know and outline modalities (frequency, patterns and aims) of smartphone use, adverse outcomes, and related parental behaviors, also in order to reveal the eventual occurrence and degree of addiction. The same information, related to the pre-epidemic period, was also investigated and analyzed.ResultsThe data obtained revealed a significantly greater adhesion to the questionnaire by females, likely reflecting higher attention and interest than boys to initiatives relating to health education. Our study showed more frequent smartphone use among Italian children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic, compared to the pre-epidemic period. This may be related to the social distancing measures adopted during the months under investigation. The present survey also outlined the changing patterns and aims in the use of smartphones among young people, which allowed to limit some effects of the crisis. Indeed, they were used for human connection, learning and entertainment, providing psychological and social support. Finally, it was observed a significant increase of overuse and addiction. This led to many clinical (sleep, ocular and musculoskeletal disorders), psychological (distraction, mood modification, loss of interest) and social (superficial approach to learning, isolation) unfavorable outcomes.ConclusionsPediatricians and health care professionals should be aware of the potential risks related to inappropriate use of smartphones. They should monitor, in cooperation with parents, possible associated adverse effects, in order to early recognize signs and symptoms suggestive, or at high risk, for addiction. They must carry out, as well, the necessary interventions to prevent and/or lower the detrimental impact of smartphone overuse on children and adolescents’ health, oriented to sustain adequate physical and psychological development as well as social relationships.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Smartphone use and addiction during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic: cohort study on 184 Italian children and adolescents

Serra

Scalzo

Giuffrè

et al. 2021

Preprint

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The impact of COVID-19 upon domestic violence is well documented. 27 , 28 , 29 However, insufficient attention has been given to children who witnessed family and domestic violence during the current pandemic, particularly on those children whose mothers were murdered by a family member. Studies will provide a better understanding of this phenomenon, as well a way as to develop strategies useful to intercept risk factors and to plan for prevention programs, 30 including the promotion of healthy, respectful, nonviolent relationships.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Children Witnessing Domestic and Family Violence: A Widespread Occurrence during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic

Ferrara

Franceschini

Corsello

et al. 2021

The Journal of Pediatrics

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“…The transference of social activity exclusively to the Internet can result in digital technology overuse, abandonment of other activities, exposure to inappropriate content, and cyberbullying ( 46 , 47 ).…”

Section: Mental Health and Development In The Communitymentioning

confidence: 99%

EAP and ECPCP Statement Risks for Children's Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic and a Call for Maintenance of Essential Pediatric Services

et al. 2021

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The COVID-19 pandemic and global lockdown have had drastic socioeconomic and psychological effects on countries and people, respectively. There has been limited access to health care and education. These negative consequences have had a significant impact on the well-being of children and adolescents. Therefore, the EAP and the ECPCP are requesting state, health, and education authorities as well as European pediatric societies and the healthcare professionals that special attention be given to this population and the problems they face as a result of the pandemic.

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The Dark Side of the Web—A Risk for Children and Adolescents Challenged by Isolation during the Novel Coronavirus 2019 Pandemic

Cited by 33 publications

References 14 publications

Smartphone use and addiction during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic: cohort study on 184 Italian children and adolescents

Smartphone use and addiction during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic: cohort study on 184 Italian children and adolescents

Children Witnessing Domestic and Family Violence: A Widespread Occurrence during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic

EAP and ECPCP Statement Risks for Children's Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic and a Call for Maintenance of Essential Pediatric Services

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