Association Between Screen Overuse and Behavioral and Emotional Problems in Elementary School Children

Overview

Journal Soa Chongsonyon Chongsin Uihak

Date 2021 Oct 21

PMID 34671188

Citations 2

Authors

YeonKyu Choi

Dong Yun Lee

Sangha Lee

Eun-Jin Park

Hee Jeong Yoo

Yunmi Shin

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objectives: This study identified the association between excessive exposure to screen media and behavioral and emotional problems in elementary school students.

Methods: A total of 331 parents of children aged 7-10 years were recruited from "The Kids Cohort for Understanding of Internet Addiction Risk Factors in Early Childhood (K-CURE)" study. Children's demographics, household media ownership, screen time, and behavioral/emotional problems were assessed using a parental questionnaire. Children's behavior/emotional problems were measured using the Korean version the of Child Behavior Checklist (K-CBCL) score.

Results: The total K-CBCL score in the screen overuse group was 51.18±9.55, significantly higher than 47.28±10.09 in the control group (t=2.14, p=0.05). For each subscale, the externalization score (51.65±10.14, 48.33±8.97, respectively; t=2.02, p<0.05), social problem score (55.41±6.11, 53.24±5.19, respectively; t=2.27, p<0.05), and rule breaking behavior score (55.71±6.11, 53.24±5.19, respectively; t=2.27, p<0.05) were significantly higher in the screen overuse group than in the control group. In addition, the screen overuse group also had a significantly higher usage rate than the control group, even if limited to smartphones, not only on weekdays (3.56±2.08, 1.87±2.02, respectively; t=-4.597, p<0.001) but also weekends (1.62±0.74, 1.19±0.83, respectively; t=-3.14, p=0.003).

Conclusion: The study suggested that screen media overuse patterns in children in Korea are particularly relevant to the excessive use of smartphones and are related to higher risks of emotional and behavioral problems.

Citing Articles

Excessive screen time and problem behaviours among school-age children in Fujian, China: a cross-sectional study.

Yu-Ting Y, Li-Xiang C, Miao Y, Yong-Wei Y, Ting L BMC Public Health. 2025; 25(1):666.

PMID: 39966837 PMC: 11837368. DOI: 10.1186/s12889-025-21795-4.

Lower-Income Predicts Increased Smartphone Use and Problematic Behaviors Among Schoolchildren During COVID-19 Related School Modification: A Longitudinal Study.

Her E, Lee S, Yang S, Park L, Park M, Kim S J Korean Med Sci. 2022; 37(28):e225.

PMID: 35851864 PMC: 9294501. DOI: 10.3346/jkms.2022.37.e225.

Associations between problematic smartphone use and behavioural difficulties, quality of life, and school performance among children and adolescents.

Kliesener T, Meigen C, Kiess W, Poulain T BMC Psychiatry. 2022; 22(1):195.

PMID: 35300635 PMC: 8932112. DOI: 10.1186/s12888-022-03815-4.

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