The Effects of Family-Based Programs on Preschool Children's Screen Time: A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Child Development
• Public Health
• Educational Psychology

Background:

• Excessive screen time negatively impacts individuals, particularly during early childhood.
• Preschool-aged children frequently exceed recommended screen time limits on various devices.
• There's a growing need for interventions to promote healthy lifestyles and reduce screen exposure in young children.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and compile programs aimed at reducing screen time in preschool-aged children.
• To evaluate interventions that involve families in managing children's screen habits.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review following PRISMA guidelines.
• Searches conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and ProQuest Central databases.
• PICOS framework used for search strategy design.

Main Results:

• Fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria from an initial pool of 287 articles.
• Parental training combined with interactive games showed positive outcomes.
• Effective reduction in screen time was observed in children up to six years old.

Conclusions:

• Parent-focused programs and engaging children in games are effective strategies for reducing screen time.
• These interventions contribute to healthier lifestyles for young children.
• Evidence supports tailored programs for specific populations.