Patterns of Screen-Based Media Usage and Associated Health Outcomes Among Rural School Children in Jaipur, Rajasthan:...

Background The rapid proliferation of digital devices in rural India has transformed media consumption among adolescents, creating complex patterns of multimodal screen exposure that are influenced by sociodemographic factors. Despite growing concerns about the health and developmental impacts of excessive screen time, limited data exist on rural contexts, where family structures and educational environments differ markedly from those in urban settings. Objective This study aims to identify sociodemographic predictors of multimodal screen exposure among rural Indian school children, with a focus on family structure, educational setting, and age. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 370 school children aged 11-17 years in rural Jaipur, Rajasthan. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and media use diaries. Multimodal screen exposure was defined as concurrent use of two or more digital devices. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, ANOVA, and logistic regression. Results Joint family structure was associated with 28% lower odds of excessive multimodal screen use compared to nuclear families (OR=0.72, 95% CI: 0.54-0.96, p=0.025). Private school attendance was linked to 2.3 times higher device ownership rates compared to government schools. Age-stratified analysis revealed that older adolescents (15-17 years) were significantly more likely to engage in multimodal screen use than younger adolescents (11-14 years) (41.8% vs. 22.6%, χ²=18.7, p<0.001). Mean daily screen time increased with device multiplicity, from 1.8±0.7 hours for single-device users to 3.1±1.2 hours for multi-device users. Conclusion Family structure, school type, and age are key predictors of multimodal screen exposure among rural Indian adolescents. These findings highlight the importance of culturally sensitive, family-centered interventions for screen time management in rural communities.