The Association between Mobile Devices Use and Behavior Problems among Fourth Grade Children in Japan
Open accessAbstract
Aim: Previous studies showed mixed evidence on the association between duration of mobile devices usage and behavior problems among children. We aimed to examine this association using a large population‐based sample of fourth grade children (i.e. aged 9–10 years old), stratified by gender. Methods: Questionnaires with anonymous unique identifiers were distributed to 4th grade students (aged 9–10 years old) at all public schools in Adachi City, Tokyo (n = 4,105). Duration of mobile devices usage was self‐reported, and behavior problems were assessed by the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire by caregivers. Multiple regression analyses were performed, adjusting for potential confounders such as socioeconomic status, family social capital, and number of friends. Results: Among boys, U‐shape association was found between duration of mobile devices usage and behavior problems; boys with usage time of less than 1 h showed 0.88 [95% confidence interval (CI) −1.50 to −0.27] point lower total difficulty score in comparison with boys who do not use mobile devices, and total difficulty score among boys with usage time of 1 h or more was not different with non‐users. Among girls, dose–response positive association was found between duration of mobile devices usage and total difficulty score (P for trend: <0.001). Conclusion: Among children aged 9–10 years old, mobile devices usage time of less than 1 h was a protective factor for behavior problems in boys, while usage time of 1‐h or more was a risk factor in girls. Further longitudinal study is warranted to confirm the findings.
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Seven reports explored the influence of social media and behavioral problems.
“Out of the reports, seven explored the influence of social media and behavioral problems [22,49,64,75,76,77,78].”
From The Use of Social Media in Children and Adolescents: Scoping Review on the Potential Risks. (2022) · cites this paper as [76]
The Methods section (“Duration of mobile devices usage”; page unavailable) says the study measured time spent using phones, smartphones, or tablets, and the Results examine its association with behavior problems. It did not measure social-media use specifically, so it supports identifying this as a report about device use and behavior problems, but not as a report about social media’s influence. This individual paper also cannot establish the citing document’s count of seven reports. (LLM, conf=0.88)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredAmong girls, a dose-response positive association was found between duration of mobile devices usage and total difficulty score.
“Among girls, a dose–response positive association was found between duration of mobile devices usage and total difficulty score.”
From The Use of Social Media in Children and Adolescents: Scoping Review on the Potential Risks. (2022) · cites this paper as [76]
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredModerate use of mobile devices might be a tool for relaxation or alleviating distress through interactions with peers in boys.
“A U-shaped association was found between duration of mobile devices usage and behavioral problems in boys: moderate use of mobile devices might be a tool for relaxation or alleviating distress through interactions with peers.”
From The Use of Social Media in Children and Adolescents: Scoping Review on the Potential Risks. (2022) · cites this paper as [76]
A U-shaped association was found between duration of mobile devices usage and behavioral problems in boys.
“A U-shaped association was found between duration of mobile devices usage and behavioral problems in boys: moderate use of mobile devices might be a tool for relaxation or alleviating distress through interactions with peers.”
From The Use of Social Media in Children and Adolescents: Scoping Review on the Potential Risks. (2022) · cites this paper as [76]
Mobile devices usage time of less than 1 h was a protective factor for behavior problems in boys aged 9-10 years.
“In accordance to McNamee, the study by Okada conducted in Japan [76] among children aged 9–10 years old highlighted that mobile devices usage time of less than 1 h was a protective factor for behavior problems in boys.”
From The Use of Social Media in Children and Adolescents: Scoping Review on the Potential Risks. (2022) · cites this paper as [76]
Mobile devices usage time of 1 h or more was a risk factor for behavior problems in girls.
“Instead, the usage time of 1 h or more was a risk factor in girls.”
From The Use of Social Media in Children and Adolescents: Scoping Review on the Potential Risks. (2022) · cites this paper as [76]
Boys who use two or more hours of mobile devices showed higher risk of emotional problems and peer problems.
“However, in the subscale analysis, boys who use two or more hours of mobile devices showed higher risk of emotional problems and peer problems [76].”
From The Use of Social Media in Children and Adolescents: Scoping Review on the Potential Risks. (2022) · cites this paper as [76]
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“In accordance to McNamee, the study by Okada conducted in Japan [76] among children aged 9–10 years old highlighted that mobile devices usage time of less than 1 h was a protective factor for behavior problems in boys.”
BackgroundResult
- Authors
- Okada, S., Doi, S., Isumi, A., & Fujiwara, T.
- Affiliations
- Tokyo Medical and Dental University (JP)
- Corresponding author
- Fujiwara, Takeo
- Venue
- Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2021-07-22
- Volume
- 75
- Issue
- 9
- Pages
- 286-293
- ISSN
- 1323-1316 (ISSN-L)
- 1440-1819
- OpenAlex
- W3176902535
- Cited by
- 15
- References
- 27
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 1
- FWCI
- 3.95
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (16H03276, 16K21669, 17J05974, 17K13245, 19H04879, 19J01614, 19K14029, 19K14172, 19K19309, 19K19310, 19K20109, 20K13945, 21H04848)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Education › Child Development and Digital Technology
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Impact of Technology on Adolescents
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
- Keywords
- mobile device use, screen time, child behavior problems, fourth grade, gender differences, dose-response relationship, Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, socioeconomic status, family social capital, number of friends, risk and protective factors
- MeSH terms
- Problem Behavior, Child, Female, Humans, Japan, Male, Surveys and Questionnaires, Schools, Computers, Handheld
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