Parents and Mobile Devices, from Theory to Practice: Comparison between Perception and Attitudes to 0–5 Year Old Children’s Use

Loredana Covolo, Daniela Zaniboni, Jacopo Roncali, Valentina Mapelli, Elisabetta Ceretti and Umberto Gelatti
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Loredana Covolo: Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, Section of Public Health and Human Sciences, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
Daniela Zaniboni: Post-Graduate School of Public Health, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
Jacopo Roncali: Post-Graduate School of Public Health, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
Valentina Mapelli: Degree Course in Health Assistance, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
Elisabetta Ceretti: Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, Section of Public Health and Human Sciences, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
Umberto Gelatti: Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, Section of Public Health and Human Sciences, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 7, 1-15

Abstract: Pediatrics associations recommend avoiding the use of mobile devices (MDs) in children aged 0–2 years and limiting them to one hour per day for children aged 3–5 years. This study aimed to explore public risk perception on MDs use by children aged 0–5 years and attitudes of parents to children’s use. Participants were recruited on a voluntary basis by social media using a self-administered survey. The study included 3115 participants, most of whom were parents of children aged under 5 years ( n = 1901; 61%). Most of the respondents (74%) considered that MDs use could be harmful for children’s health. The awareness on a correct use did not always translate into avoiding MDs use as recommended, especially in parents of children aged 0–2 years. Half of the sample (54%) received or sought information on risks related to MDs use. The most consulted information sources were the web (78%), and pediatricians in only 22% of cases. Understanding the determinants of parents’ risk perception and behavior is necessary to design effective family-based interventions in order to guide parents to a moderate and more careful use of MDs by their children. To do so, public health actions must aim to strengthen awareness about conscious use of MDs.

Keywords: children’s health; digital health; mobile device; screen-time; parents; children; risk (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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