Materials

The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with significant increases in young children's exposure to digital media. This raised concerns regarding its impact on healthy child development. Although many researchers have highlighted the risks of excessive screen time, few studies have examined how parents perceive and manage their children's screen use in this context. In this study, we first aim to deepen understanding of the circumstances surrounding screen use, including its purposes, influences, and content types. Second, we aim to investigate factors contributing to increased screen time. Finally, it explores parental strategies and household rules regarding screen use. Using qualitative data from a prospective cohort of Canadian preschool-aged children (mean age = 4.5, N = 326), we analyzed parent-reported data collected during the first wave of the pandemic and the post-pandemic period. A reflexive thematic analysis was conducted using NVivo to code participants' responses. Preliminary findings indicate a shift in screen use from emergency-based reliance in Wave 1 to more structured and balanced integration in Wave 2. During Wave 1, parents reported increased screen time as a necessity for managing work and home life, leading to feelings of guilt but also fostering positive family bonding. By Wave 2, parents described screens as tools for relaxation, behavioral management, entertainment, and education, supporting a more balanced approach between screen use and physical activities, recreational engagements, and social interactions. Additional factors, such as weather and older siblings, contributed to increased screen time in both waves. Moreover, notable sex differences emerged in screen interactions: boys exhibited more behavioral challenges related to screen time, whereas girls often associated screen use with relaxation and social engagement. Overall, findings suggest that parents have adopted a more accepting attitude toward screen use, recognizing its benefits while striving to maintain balance with other activities. This presents challenges as children transition to a post-COVID context. These findings underscore the need for clear guidelines and evidence-informed strategies to support parents in managing screen time for young children.

Download presentation

Download