Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 1, 2025
Setup of Consumer Wearable Devices for Exposure and Health Monitoring in Population Studies
Published on: February 3, 2023
Preschoolers' screen time in China before and during COVID-19 lockdown: a parental survey
Ping Li1,2, Tian Wu3, Fan Yang1,2
1Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
Insights
Preschoolers’ daily screen time increased significantly during the COVID-19 lockdown in China. Factors like older age and less physical activity were linked to more screen time in children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic led to widespread school closures and home confinement.
- Prolonged confinement can impact children's behavior and daily routines.
- Understanding changes in screen time is crucial for child development during such periods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the changes in total daily screen time among preschoolers during the COVID-19 lockdown in China.
- To identify factors associated with increased screen time in this age group.
Main Methods:
- A parental online survey was conducted from June 1 to June 5, 2020.
- 1121 preschoolers were enrolled, with data collected from their parents or grandparents.
- Multivariable modeling was used to analyze factors associated with screen time.
Main Results:
- Preschoolers' daily screen time increased significantly during lockdown, with a median of 2.5 hours compared to 1.5 hours before.
- Older age (OR 1.26), higher annual household income (OR 1.18), and decreased moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (OR 1.41) were independently associated with increased screen time.
- The findings highlight a substantial shift in children's screen habits during the lockdown period.
Conclusions:
- Preschoolers' total daily screen time significantly increased during the COVID-19 lockdown.
- Interventions may be needed to manage screen time and promote physical activity in young children during public health crises.
Objectives:
Since COVID-19 first appeared in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, the disease has spread rapidly across the country. To reduce the spread of infection, schools including kindergartens were closed. Prolonged home confinement can affect children's behaviour. Therefore, we investigated the change of preschoolers' total daily screen time during the COVID-19 lockdown in China.
Design, Setting And Participants:
In the parental survey, 1121 preschoolers, whose parents or grandparents completed an online survey from 1 June 2020 to 5 June 2020, were enrolled.
Primary Outcome:
Total daily screen time. Multivariable modelling was performed to identify factors associated with increased screen time.
Results:
The results showed that preschoolers' total daily screen time during lockdown(median 2.5 hours, IQR 2.5 hours) was significantly longer than it was before lockdown (median 1.5 hours, IQR 1.0 hour). Older age (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.48), higher annual household income (OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.34),and decrease of moderate-vigorous physical activity (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.20 to 1.66) were independently associated with increased screen time.
Conclusions:
Preschoolers' total daily screen time significantly increased during lockdown.
