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The digital child: A cross-sectional survey study on the access to electronic devices in paediatrics.
- Source :
-
Acta paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992) [Acta Paediatr] 2023 Aug; Vol. 112 (8), pp. 1792-1803. Date of Electronic Publication: 2023 May 17. - Publication Year :
- 2023
-
Abstract
- Aim: To explore the use of electronic devices in children and possible risk factors for smartphone ownership and cyberbullying.<br />Methods: A cross-sectional survey study was conducted involving 62 Italian general paediatricians who administered a close-ended questionnaire about the use of electronic devices to 1732 parents/caregivers.<br />Results: Data of 2563 children aged 0-14 years were collected. Investigating the electronic device use by parents/caregivers of children aged 0-1 years, 72.5% of mothers were revealed to have the habit to use a smartphone during breastfeeding and bottle-feeding. The ownership of a smartphone was found in 29.5% of children aged 2-14 years, 68.1% considering only children aged 10-14. A higher parental degree level was identified as a protective factor for smartphone ownership by children (OR 0.59; 95% CI 0.36-0.98; p = 0.04 for father; OR 0.51; 95% CI 0.33-0.78; p = 0.002 for mother). A higher risk of cyberbullying was found when caregivers did not use any restrictions on smartphone use (OR 11.92; 95% CI 3.41-41.68; p < 0.001).<br />Conclusion: The absence of rules for smartphone use represents a risk factor for cyberbullying. In this context, the general paediatrician might play an important role in helping parents/caregivers and their children adopt safer use of electronic devices.<br /> (© 2023 The Authors. Acta Paediatrica published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Foundation Acta Paediatrica.)
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1651-2227
- Volume :
- 112
- Issue :
- 8
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Acta paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 37341150
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1111/apa.16817