Abstract
Background
This study aimed to identify the factors associated with smartphone addiction risk among preschool children. Thus far, little is known about these factors in younger children compared to older children or adolescents, although the age at first use of a smartphone is decreasing.
Methods
A cross-sectional study design was used. Data were obtained from the nationwide survey on smartphone overdependence conducted in 2017 in South Korea by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Information Society Agency. Data from 1,378 preschool children were analysed using binominal logistic regression analysis. This study complied with the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology.
Results
Of the samples, 17.1% showed a risk of smartphone addiction. The odds of high risk for smartphone addiction increased with the duration of smartphone use during the week and the frequency of smartphone use over the weekend. Using smartphones to watch TV shows and videos significantly increased the odds of smartphone addiction risk, whereas using smartphones for education and games did not.
Conclusions
The findings of the present study showed that, similar to children in other age groups, preschool children were also exposed to the risk of smartphone addiction. To reduce smartphone addiction risk in these children, parents should be aware of their risk of smartphone addiction and consider allowing their children less than 30 minutes of smartphone use during the week and more opportunities for physical activities especially over the weekend. Our findings also suggested that parent-centred education needs to be provided to correct parents’ perceptions. Information on smartphone addiction should be provided to parents along with an explanation that children’s smartphone use for educational purposes is beneficial; however, its use for the parents’ convenience or other purposes was not.
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