Behavioural and psychological effects of screen time on children and adolescents

The lockdown following Covid-19 has drastically changed the way children lead their lives. In a bid to adjust with school closure, the educational institutions shifted to online schooling to reach as well as engage with students. With outdoor activities restricted, children again reached out to cell phones, televisions and laptops to pass their leisure time and cope up with the pandemic. This shift of internet-based lifestyle which is not enough stimulating for a growing child has not only hampered the physical health of children but has also distorted their emotional, behavioural and psychological well-being. However due to lack of researches there is not enough knowledge about the presence and severity of such affection.

The aim of this study is to assess the emotional, behavioural and psychological impact of screen time in children and adolescents aged 6–18 years of Ahmedabad.

30 subjects were selected randomly from the residential areas of Ahmedabad city and they were explained the purpose of the study and with consent, forms were filled with information provided by them.

Child Behavior Checklist for Ages 6–18 years (CBCL).

The result obtained from statistical analysis shows that there is no significant effect of screen time on emotional and psychological well-being of children. However, there are certain behavioural traits which has seen to be constant in every subject taken and there were also variations seen with age and gender