The problematic media use in children and their parents: Predictors of children's screen time and problematic media...

This study examined levels of problematic media use in children aged 4-11 years and problematic internet use in their parents, and predictors of children's daily screen time and problematic media use.

A cross-sectional, correlational study was conducted with 227 parents whose children attended a university-affiliated children's hospital. Data were collected using a demographic form, the Problematic Media Use Measure-Child (PMUM-C), and the Problematic Internet Use Questionnaire Short Form-6 (PIUQ-SF-6). Descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression were performed.

Parents reported a mean daily screen time of 2.5 ± 1.8 h (range, 0-7), whereas their children's mean screen time was 2.8 ± 1.6 h (range, 0.5-8). The mean PMUM-C score for children was 57.4 ± 25.0, and the mean PIUQ-SF-6 score for parents was 11.9 ± 4.3. The predictors of children's problematic media use were parents' problematic internet use, children's phone/tablet ownership, and household income. Predictors of children's screen time were gender, education level, the parents' gender, age, and parental education level.

The study demonstrated elevated daily screen time among both children and parents, despite low levels of problematic media use in children and problematic internet use in parents.

Pediatric nurses and healthcare professionals should assess parental screen habits and provide targeted guidance on age-appropriate limits and healthy media practices. Nursing care should include risk-based education strategies aimed at young parents, especially at socio-economic and educational levels. Nurses should play a key role in providing guidance that supports children's developmental and healthy media use in accordance with their developmental life.