AbstractThe proliferation of digital devices and their integration into early childhood environments have raised concerns about the potential adverse effects of screen time exposure on young children’s behaviour. Studies indicate that preschool-aged children may be particularly vulnerable to the cumulative effects of extended screen viewing, with links being drawn to attention problems, emotional dysregulation, sleep disturbances, and other behavioral disorders. For instance, children who exceed recommended daily screen time thresholds are reported to have significantly higher odds of clinically meaningful inattention or externalising problems than peers who use screens more moderately (Anderson CA, Dill KE, 2000; Johnson DE, LaGrow SJ, 2006). In light of these observations, this research sought to assess the prevalence of elevated screen time among preschoolers aged 35?years within a defined urban community, and to examine the association between total daily screen time and the presence of behavioral disorders as rated by caregivers using standardised behavioral checklists. The objectives of the research were threefold:
1.To determine the proportion of preschool children who exceed one hour of screen time per day (the threshold recommended for this age group) [5];
2.To evaluate the relationship between daily screen time duration and behavioral disorder scores (including inattention, irritability, and sleeprelated behaviour); and
3.To identify demographic and familial riskfactors that moderate the association between screen time and behavioral outcomes.
The primary hypothesis was that preschool children with daily screen time exceeding one hour will have significantly higher behavioral disorder scores compared with children whose screen time is one hour or less, even after adjustment for confounders such as sleep duration and parental mediause practices. Secondary hypotheses included:
a)That greater screen time will correlate positively with inattention and irritability sub scales;
b)That the association will be stronger in households without established screen time limits; and
c)That longer screen time will be associated with poor sleep habits which in turn mediate the relationship between screen exposure and behavioral outcomes.
By exploring these relationships in a communitybased sample, the research aims to inform earlychildhood screenuse guidelines and interventions to mitigate behavioral risks associated with digital media exposure in formative years.
