Impact of Screen Time on Development in Children Using the TDSC and LEST chart

Abstract

Background:

Screen time in young children, has been a growing area of concern regarding its potential impact on developmental delays. Research indicates that excessive screen time can negatively influence various aspects of a child's development, including language acquisition, social skills, and cognitive abilities and physical health. Hence, this study aims to investigate the relationship between screen time and the acquirement of developmental milestones in children aged 1 to 3 years.

Methodology: 

A hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted among children of 1 to 3 years of age. Children with known developmental disorders and those children who have chronic illnesses affecting development were excluded from the study. A sample size of 151 study participants was calculated to meet the study objectives. The developmental delay was evaluated using the Trivandrum Development Screening Chart (TDSC) chart and the language delay was assessed using the Language evaluation scale Trivandrum (LEST) chart. The chi-square test was utilised to determine the relationship between qualitative variables. P value less than 0.05 was deemed to be statistically significant.

Results:

37.7% children had developmental delay and nearly 42.4% had language delay in the present study. Children aged between 25 to 36 months, male children by gender, children with screen time exposure of >2 hours daily and parents with no set time limit for child’s screen exposure were found to be the positive factors significantly affecting the development of the children in this study.

Conclusion:

The results firmly suggest that in order to promote healthy developmental outcomes, parental education, interactive non-screen-based play, and adherence to pediatric screen time standards as recommended by the World Health Organization are necessary.