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Parenting to Reduce Child Screen Time: A Feasibility Pilot Study
Wesley Sanders1,2, Justin Parent1,3, Rex Forehand1
1University of Vermont, Burlington, VT.
Insights
This pilot study shows a brief parent intervention effectively reduced child screen time and improved technology-specific parenting skills. Parents were satisfied and felt more confident managing screen use.
Area of Science:
- Child Health
- Behavioral Science
- Parenting Interventions
Background:
- Excessive screen time poses risks to child health.
- Parental guidance is crucial for managing children's technology use.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility of a 1-session intervention for parents.
- To evaluate preliminary outcomes in reducing child screen time.
Main Methods:
- A pilot study randomized 39 parents to an intervention or control group.
- The intervention involved didactics and hands-on technology-specific parenting strategies.
Main Results:
- Recruitment, randomization, and retention were feasible within 6 weeks.
- The intervention showed preliminary success in changing parenting and reducing child screen time.
- Parents reported high satisfaction and increased confidence.
Conclusions:
- A 1-session intervention is a promising approach to manage child screen time.
- This method offers a feasible and effective strategy for parents.
Objective:
Excessive screen time has been associated with a multitude of child health problems. This pilot study examined the feasibility and preliminary outcome of a novel 1-session intervention designed to help parents reduce their child's screen time.
Methods:
Thirty-nine parents of 5- to 12-year-old children were randomized to the intervention (a combined didactics and hands-on approach focused on technology-specific parenting) or waitlist control group.
Results:
The findings suggested that a sample could be recruited in a reasonable time (6 wk) at a reasonable cost, randomized, and retained at 6 weeks postintervention. Preliminary evidence suggested the intervention, which was implemented with fidelity, was associated with change in technology-specific parenting and 1 of 2 measures of child screen time. Parents reported satisfaction with the intervention and confidence in managing their child's screen time.
Conclusion:
The results of this pilot study suggest that this 1-session intervention is a promising approach to managing child screen time.
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