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Mobile media exposure and use in children aged zero to five years with diagnosed neurodevelopmental disability
Franzina Coutinho1, Gauri Saxena2, Akansha Shah3
1P.D Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research Centre, Mumbai, India.
Insights
Most children with neurodevelopmental disabilities use mobile devices early, often during feeding, with limited awareness of negative effects. Updated guidance is needed for caregivers on mobile media use in young children with disabilities.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Childhood Digital Media Use
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Mobile device usage is pervasive among young children.
- Children with neurodevelopmental disabilities may have unique patterns of media exposure.
- Parental awareness of potential risks associated with early media use is often limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess mobile device exposure and usage patterns in children aged 0-60 months with diagnosed neurodevelopmental disabilities.
- To identify differences in mobile media consumption based on specific neurodevelopmental diagnoses.
- To evaluate parental awareness of the potential negative effects of mobile media on children with disabilities.
Main Methods:
- A survey-based design utilizing self-report questionnaires administered to parents.
- Convenience sampling of 423 children (0-60 months) with neurodevelopmental disabilities at a tertiary care hospital in Mumbai, India.
- Statistical analysis to compare mobile media usage across different diagnostic groups.
Main Results:
- A high prevalence of smartphone ownership (92.7%) and early mobile device use (61% before age 2) was observed.
- Mobile devices were frequently used during feeding times (58%).
- Significant differences in mobile media usage were found across diagnoses, with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) showing the highest usage (180.44 mins/day); only 13.4% of parents were informed about negative effects by pediatricians.
Conclusions:
- Children with neurodevelopmental disabilities exhibit early and frequent mobile media habits, often without parental awareness of risks.
- Mobile media use patterns and consequences vary by neurodevelopmental diagnosis.
- There is an urgent need for updated clinical guidelines and caregiver education on appropriate mobile media use for young children with disabilities.
Objective:
The present study was conducted to determine the extent of exposure to and use of mobile devices by children (aged 0-60 months) with a diagnosed neurodevelopmental disability.
Design:
A self-report survey-based design was employed.
Setting:
Questionnaires were administered at a tertiary care hospital in Mumbai, India.
Participants:
The study included a convenience sample of 423 children with a neurodevelopmental disability (aged 0-60 months). The self-report survey was administered to the parents of the children.
Results:
Analyses showed that 92.7% (n = 392) of all respondents have smartphones. 61% (n = 258) of the respondents stated that their children used mobile devices before 2 years of age. 58% (n = 246) of the parents gave children devices while feeding. A statistically significant difference was found in the mobile media usage between groups of children with different diagnoses (p < 0.001). Children diagnosed with ASD appeared to spend the largest amount of time on mobile media (m = 180.44 mins), as compared to children included with other diagnoses. Of the diagnosed children, only 13.4% (n = 57) of parents were informed about the possible negative effects of media use by their paediatricians.
Conclusion:
The results suggest premature mobile media habits, frequent use and lack of awareness about the effects of mobile media usage among children diagnosed with a neurodevelopmental disability. We suggest there is a need to update recommendations for caregivers on the use of mobile media by young children with disability.Implications for rehabilitationThe usage and consequences of mobile media use differ based on the type of neurodevelopmental disorder diagnosis. Parents of children with neurodevelopmental disorders often use mobile media as a distraction while engaging in various activities themselves, this information helps identify times at which mobile media might be purposefully used by parents as distractorsThere is an urgent need for clinical guidelines regarding mobile media usage among young children with neurodevelopmental disorders.
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