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Cited by 272Child Development and Digital TechnologyPhysical Activity and HealthImpact of Technology on Adolescents

The DOI matches its Crossref record, with a small difference in title or year; 84 of the 94 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Assessment of Changes in Child and Adolescent Screen Time During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Open access
Madigan, Sheri, Eirich, Rachel, Pador, Paolo, McArthur, Brae Anne, Neville, Ross D.·2022·JAMA Pediatrics
DOI 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2022.4116PMC PMC9641597
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Abstract

Importance: To limit the spread of COVID-19, numerous restrictions were imposed on youths, including school closures, isolation requirements, social distancing, and cancelation of extracurricular activities, which independently or collectively may have shifted screen time patterns. Objective: To estimate changes in the duration, content, and context of screen time of children and adolescents by comparing estimates taken before the pandemic with those taken during the pandemic and to determine when and for whom screen time has increased the most. Data Sources: Electronic databases were searched between January 1, 2020, and March 5, 2022, including MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. A total of 2474 nonduplicate records were retrieved. Study Selection: Study inclusion criteria were reported changes in the duration (minutes per day) of screen time before and during the pandemic; children, adolescents, and young adults (≤18 years); longitudinal or retrospective estimates; peer reviewed; and published in English. Data Extraction and Synthesis: A total of 136 articles underwent full-text review. Data were analyzed from April 6, 2022, to May 5, 2022, with a random-effects meta-analysis. Main Outcomes and Measures: Change in daily screen time comparing estimates taken before vs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: The meta-analysis included 46 studies (146 effect sizes; 29 017 children; 57% male; and mean [SD] age, 9 [4.1] years) revealed that, from a baseline prepandemic value of 162 min/d (2.7 h/d), during the pandemic there was an increase in screen time of 84 min/d (1.4 h/d), representing a 52% increase. Increases were particularly marked for individuals aged 12 to 18 years ( k [number of sample estimates] = 26; 110 min/d) and for device type (handheld devices [ k = 20; 44 min/d] and personal computers [ k = 13; 46 min/d]). Moderator analyses showed that increases were possibly larger in retrospective ( k = 36; 116 min/d) vs longitudinal ( k = 51; 65 min/d) studies. Mean increases were observed in samples examining both recreational screen time alone ( k = 54; 84 min/d) and total daily screen time combining recreational and educational use ( k = 33; 68 min/d). Conclusions and Relevance: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to considerable disruptions in the lives and routines of children, adolescents, and families, which is likely associated with increased levels of screen time. Findings suggest that when interacting with children and caregivers, practitioners should place a critical focus on promoting healthy device habits, which can include moderating daily use; choosing age-appropriate programs; promoting device-free time, sleep, and physical activity; and encouraging children to use screens as a creative outlet or a means to meaningfully connect with others.

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Crossref · 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2022.4116

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Show all 94 references

Research works printed but not linked: 7

  1. Pietrobelli, Obes Sci Pract, 10.1002/osp4.v8.4 · DOI
  2. Rebelo, 2021, Impact of one-year pandemic on children with autism spectrum disorder., Cogent Med, 8
  3. Obes Rev, 10.1111/obr.2014.15.issue-2 · DOI
  4. Rideout, 2020, The Common Sense Census: Media Use by Kids Age Zero to Eight
  5. Yang, 2003, A Review of Random Effects Modelling in SAS
  6. Rideout, 2021, The Role of Media During the Pandemic: Connection, Creativity, and Learning for Tweens and Teens
  7. Covidence. Covidence systematic review software. Accessed March 6, 2022. https://www.covidence.org

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Metadata

Authors
Madigan, S., Eirich, R., Pador, P., McArthur, B. A., & Neville, R. D.
Affiliations
  • University of Calgary (CA)
  • University College Dublin (IE)
Corresponding author
Madigan, Sheri
ORCID
Venue
JAMA Pediatrics
Publisher
American Medical Association (AMA)
Published
2022-12-01
Volume
176
Issue
12
Pages
1188
ISSN
  • 1072-4710 (ISSN-L)
  • 2168-6203
DOI
10.1001/jamapediatrics.2022.4116
PMC
PMC9641597
OpenAlex
W4308367590
Semantic Scholar
109c8b49a1cc9ae481b4d279bb127d5db00109a8
Cited by
272
References
94
Citations by year
2026: 81 · 2025: 79 · 2024: 67 · 2023: 44 · 2022: 1
FWCI
11.41
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Education › Child Development and Digital Technology
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Physical Activity and Health
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Impact of Technology on Adolescents
Keywords
COVID-19 pandemic, screen time, children, adolescents, school closures, social distancing, recreational screen time, handheld devices, personal computers, screen time duration, social isolation, extracurricular activities, age differences, children's video games
MeSH terms
Screen Time, COVID-19, Adolescent, Child, Child, Preschool, Female, Humans, Male, Retrospective Studies, Exercise, Young Adult, Pandemics

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