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Effect of early screen media multitasking on behavioural problems in school-age children

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Abstract

Screen media multitasking (SMM), the act of exposure ≥ 2 screen media simultaneously, is increasing nowadays. Single media use was associated with child’s behavioural problems in previous studies. However, the associations between SMM since early childhood and behavioural problems in school-age children had not been elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the association between SMM from age 6 months to 4 years and behavioural problems in 6-year-old children. Two hundred and ninety-one (52.6% girls) healthy children were enrolled since age 6 months and 259 participants were followed-up until age 6 years. SMM was obtained at age 6, 12, 18, 24 months, 3 and 4 years. Behavioural concerns were assessed at age 4 years by the Child Behaviour Checklist and by both the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire with the Conners Kiddie Continuous Performance Test at age 6 years. Parenting style, cognitive ability, and baseline characteristics were also ascertained. Partial least squares path modelling was performed to determine both direct and indirect relationships among variables. Results showed that children who had been exposed to SMM for longer duration, specifically at age 18 months, showed more behavioural problems at age 4 and 6 years. Positive parenting during preschool and behavioural concerns at age 4 years were main mediators of those associations. Moreover, SMM in minutes at age 18 months was related to decreased preschool cognition. To minimise behavioural problems in school-age children, SMM should be avoided before 2 years of age so that positive parenting may be successfully implemented since early childhood.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to all participants and their families who participated in this study; Professor Clyde C. Robinson, who had kindly given us permission to adapt the PSDQ-short version into Thai language; medical students who helped input the data; our previous fellows in Developmental and Behavioural Paediatrics, including Dr. Nakul Vijakkhana, Dr. Sirikoon Thunthep, Dr. Mutita Changpinyo, Dr. Dhanika Boonma, Dr. Nattaporn Tassanakijpanich, Dr. Panrudee Watanaprakornkul, Dr. Jarujan Subchartanan, Dr. Khanittha Detnakarintra, Dr. Chalermpol Sirachairat, Dr. Sudarat Supanitayanon, Dr. Wipawee Wongwilai, and Dr. Nipaporn Inthikoot who helped interviewed the caregivers and input the data; Miss Ketsupar Jirakran and Miss Amornrat Sukkul who helped make appointments with the families for their visits, and finally Sam Ormond who professionally edited this entire manuscript. This work was supported by the grant from Ratchadapiseksompotch Fund, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University (grant numbers RA61/047), Bangkok, Thailand. Dr. Srisinghasongkram’s scholarship from the Graduate School, Chulalongkorn University to commemorate the 72nd anniversary of his Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej is gratefully acknowledged.

Funding

This work was supported by the grant from Ratchadapiseksompotch Fund, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University (Grant number RA 61/047), Bangkok, Thailand. Srisinghasongkram received the scholarship from the Graduate School, Chulalongkorn University to commemorate the 72nd anniversary of his Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Maximizing Thai Children’s Developmental Potential Research Unit, Division of Growth and Development, Department of Paediatrics, Sor Kor Building, 11th Floor, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, 1873 Rama IV. Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand

    Pornchada Srisinghasongkram, Pon Trairatvorakul & Weerasak Chonchaiya

  2. Division of Growth and Development, Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand

    Pornchada Srisinghasongkram, Pon Trairatvorakul & Weerasak Chonchaiya

  3. Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand

    Michael Maes

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  1. Pornchada Srisinghasongkram
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Contributions

P.S.: had responsibility for interpretation of data, drafted the article, and finally approved the version to be published. P.T.: participated in data interpretation, revised the article critically for important intellectual content, and finally approved the version to be published. M.M.: had responsibility for data analysis, revised the article critically for important intellectual content; and finally approved the version to be published. W.C.: had substantial contributions to conception and design, acquisition of data, analysis, and interpretation of data; drafted the article and revised it critically for important intellectual content; and finally approved the version to be published.

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Correspondence to Weerasak Chonchaiya.

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This study was approved by the Institutional Review Boards of the Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University (IRB 007/58 and 762/62).

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Primary caregivers provided informed consent.

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Srisinghasongkram, P., Trairatvorakul, P., Maes, M. et al. Effect of early screen media multitasking on behavioural problems in school-age children. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 30, 1281–1297 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-020-01623-3

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