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Published on: December 7, 2018
Screen Time Among and Youth Children With Disabilities: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Leigh M Vanderloo1,2, Matthew Bourke3, Leah G Taylor1
1School of Occupational Therapy, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
Objective:
This paper aimed to review and synthesize screen time research among children and youth with disabilities.
Methods:
Seven online databases were searched, and a machine learning-assisted systematic review model was used to identify relevant studies. English and French papers reporting on screen time among children and youth with a disability were eligible. Extracted data were synthesized by participant age, followed by type of screen time reporting. Meta-analyses were conducted to estimate daily screen time and adherence to screen time guidelines using random effects meta-analysis.
Results:
Eighty-one studies were included. Screen time ranged from 0.5 to 7.27 h/day and varied widely based on disability type. Pooled average screen time was 3.70, 3.28 and 3.39 h/day for children and youth with ASD, ADHD and CP, respectively.
Conclusion:
Screen use is prominent among children and youth with disabilities. Limiting screen time in this group is critical in preventing numerous related consequences of excessive, prolonged use.
Policy Implications:
Interventions targeting children and youth with disabilities are needed to decrease excessive screen time among this population and to inform future public health policy and setting-specific practice.
