Dr. Dema Atoum

    "Screen time in children, a survey of school students in Jordan"

    This paper is published in " Jordan Medical Journal"

     Publication Date:  September 2020

      Publisher: University of Jordan

      Researchers: Dema Atoum ¹, Dalia Rimawi²

      1- Yarmouk University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Medical Sciences (CMS)

      2- King Hussein Cancer Center KHCC

         ^{The full research online}    

Abstract

Aim: over the last few years, screen time has become a serious issue for children, we conducted a survey to evaluate the size of this problem and to look for solutions.

Methods: a survey was distributed to the students in 6^th-9^th grades to assess screen time, parental supervision, and other related issues.

Results: 240 students completed the survey. In our study, we found that most children spent more than the recommended time in front of screens. Many parents allow screens exposure during mealtime and before bedtime, do not set limits on the children screen time, and do not supervise what their children see during the screen time. 70% of the students own a handheld electronic device. in 47% of the cases, babies under 2 years of age are exposed to screens. Regarding video games, almost half of the students play violent video games and may copy what they see on video games.

Conclusion: most students spend too much time in front of the screen without any clear limits set by the parents, and do not spend enough time outdoors which can negatively affect their weight, development and health.

Key words: American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), electronic devices, school children, screen time, video games.