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French childminder knowledge of pediatric guidelines for screen use: An observational study
C Allet1, M Samaille1, A D Marq2
1Univ. Bordeaux, Département de médecine générale, 146 rue Léo Saignat, F-33000 Bordeaux, France.
Insights
French childminders generally understand pediatric screen time guidelines, with most agreeing on avoiding screens before age three. However, detailed knowledge of negative effects varied among participants.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Child Development
- Public Health
Background:
- Early and excessive screen exposure poses risks to children's development.
- Registered childminders are primary childcare providers in France.
- Understanding childminder knowledge is crucial for promoting healthy screen habits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess childminder awareness of pediatric screen time recommendations.
- To evaluate childminder knowledge regarding the adverse effects of screen use on children.
Main Methods:
- An anonymous online survey was distributed to registered childminders in Gironde, France.
- Data collected included demographics, personal screen habits, and knowledge of screen use effects and guidelines.
- A knowledge score was developed to quantify understanding of screen time recommendations.
Main Results:
- 1102 childminders participated, with a median knowledge score of 9/14.
- Over 95% agreed screens should be avoided before age three.
- Knowledge of specific short- and long-term negative effects was limited in a majority of participants.
Conclusions:
- Registered childminders in Gironde demonstrate a generally good understanding of pediatric screen time guidelines.
- Targeted education may be needed to improve awareness of specific screen-related risks.
Background:
Early, excessive, and inappropriate screen exposure has negative short- and long-term effects on children. In France, registered childminders are the main source of childcare.
Objective:
To explore childminder knowledge of the pediatric guidelines for screen use and the potential negative effects on children.
Participants And Setting:
Registered childminders working in the French department of Gironde who had email accounts.
Methods:
The maternal and child health services unit of the Gironde department distributed an anonymous online questionnaire from January 24, 2023, to February 19, 2023. Data were collected on childminder characteristics, personal screen use practices, knowledge of potential negative effects of inappropriate screen use, and knowledge of best practice recommendations for screen use. A knowledge score ranging from 0 (all wrong) to 14 (good) was constructed.
Results:
A total of 1102 registered childminders participated; the median knowledge score was 9 with an InterQuartile Range of [7.5, 10.5]. A total of 95.2 % agreed that screen use should be avoided before the age of three. A minority of childminders, 13.4 % and 23.1 %, respectively, had good answers for possible short-and long-term negative effects. Childminders younger than 50 years with less experience and those who tend to use screens more had better knowledge than the others.
Conclusions:
French childminders interviewed in Gironde have relatively good knowledge of pediatric guidelines for screen use.
