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Interventions for Reducing Screen Time of Preschoolers: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials
Markel Rico-González1, Eivind Holsbrekken2, Ricardo Martín-Moya3
1University of the Basque Country, UPV-EHU, Leioa, Spain.
Insights
Reducing screen time in preschoolers requires comprehensive, parent-focused strategies. Targeting parental knowledge and attitudes effectively lowers children
Area of Science:
- Child Development
- Public Health
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Preschoolers' excessive screen time presents a significant public health concern.
- Screen exposure is linked to adverse physical, cognitive, and psychosocial outcomes in young children.
- Effective interventions are needed to mitigate risks associated with early childhood screen use.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and synthesize interventions aimed at reducing screen time in preschool-aged children.
- To assess the methodological quality of existing studies on screen time reduction interventions.
- To identify effective strategies for managing screen exposure in early childhood.
Main Methods:
- A systematic review was conducted using five major databases.
- Searches were performed up to October 15, 2023, identifying 71 studies.
- Eight studies were included in the qualitative synthesis, with methodological quality assessed using 10 criteria.
Main Results:
- Interventions demonstrated mixed effectiveness in reducing preschooler screen time.
- The 'Parents' Screen Time Reduction Program' showed significant success in lowering screen time and improving parental behaviors.
- Shorter counseling interventions did not yield significant changes in screen time.
Conclusions:
- Comprehensive, parent-involved approaches are most effective for reducing preschooler screen time.
- Targeting parental knowledge and attitudes, with repeated reinforcement, is crucial.
- Educating parents on screen time consequences and reduction strategies is key to successful outcomes.
Abstract:
Preschool-aged children are growing up in an environment saturated with screens, which provokes a significant public health issue, given its potential associations with adverse physical, cognitive, and psychosocial outcomes. The present article aims to systematically summarize the interventions for reducing screen time in preschool-aged children. A systematic review of relevant articles was carried out using 5 main databases until October 15, 2023. From 71 studies initially found, eight were included in the qualitative synthesis. It was provided a methodological assessment of various studies based on 10 criteria, with scores ranging from 12 to 20 out of the total possible score, indicating the extent to which each study adhered to key methodological standards. Various interventions targeting preschool-aged children's screen time showed mixed results. While some, like the Parents' Screen Time Reduction Program, led to significant reductions in screen time and improved parental attitudes and behaviors, others, such as short counseling interventions, did not yield significant changes. Screen time among preschoolers can be effectively reduced by targeting parents' knowledge and attitude through comprehensive, parent-involved approaches involving repeated reinforcement and teaching them about the consequences of screen time and how they can proceed to reduce it for their children.
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