Screen media use in hospitalized children: a prospective observational study

Screen media use in hospitalized children is more prevalent than such media use in a home setting. Research on characteristics and extent to which screen media are used in hospitalized children in addition to associated factors is scarce. This study aims to examine the duration and factors associated with screen media use in hospitalized children. From February to November 2020, a cross-sectional study was conducted in hospitalized children (age range 1-194 months, median age 44.5 (IQR 14-123.5) months) and their caregivers at a single tertiary care hospital using a media questionnaire combined with a thorough interview. Of 254 participants who were enrolled, 239 (94%) had been exposed to screen media in the hospital with a median duration of exposure of 6 (IQR 2-11) h/day. Children who used more than one screen media device (standardized beta (β) = 0.16, p < 0.001), having difficulty stopping media use (β = 0.16, p < 0.001), having lower numbers of positive discipline techniques over media use (β = 0.16, p = 0.001), and less media co-viewing with verbal interaction with their caregivers (β = 0.12, p = 0.004) were significantly associated with longer screen media use in a hospital setting.   Conclusion: Hospitalized children spent 6 h/day on screen media. Fostering positive discipline over media use and co-viewing with verbal interaction during screen time may minimize screen media overuse in hospitalized children. What is Known: • Screen media use in hospitalized children is often observed during ward rounds. • Hospitalized children had increased access to screen media in hospital rooms compared to their homes. What is New: • Difficulty stopping media use, having lower numbers of positive discipline techniques over media use, and less media co-viewing with caregivers were associated with longer screen media use in hospitalized children. • Fostering positive discipline over media use and verbal interaction from caregivers during media co-viewing may minimize screen media overuse in hospitalized children.